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Hardly a week passes by without a politically explosive news hitting the headlines.
The previous week was about the death of A.Kugan in police custody. Last week it was about the Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim jumping ship from BN to Pakatan.
This week is all about Changkat Jering assemblyman Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu and Behrang Assemblyman Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi.
They were both declared to have vacated their seats by the Perak Speaker V. Sivakumar, only to be denied by the two involved. They have both now declared themselves as independents. The Election Commission has declined to declare both seats as vacant. No by-elections. In the meantime DAP has given the EC 48 hours to rescind its decision.
The drama is still unfolding as I am writing this. We do not know what is going to happen today or in the next few days. Rumours are going around that there will be more defection, that Pakatan will ask for a dissolution of the Perak state assembly, that BN will form a new state government with more 'defectors' joining its fold etc, etc.
What have we descended into? I still remember clearly the day George W. Bush was declared the winner of the 2000 Presidential Election by the narrowest of margin. Although Al Gore received the majority of popular votes, he abided by the wishes of the people as translated by the system. George W. Bush's authority as President nor his right to rule were never once challenged by the margin of his victory (of course the fact that he was one of the worst US President in living memory is another matter).
Recently, when John McCain, a decorated war hero lost to a ' newcomer' Barrack Hussein Obama, he called all Americans to come together to work with the new President. He said "he is President of the United Sates, he is my President". That is the integrity of those that uphold the system and respect the wishes of the people.
Unfortunately, we in Malaysia have succumbed to the low level of politics seen in the less developed third world countries where party-hopping is the norm and the will of the people is twisted through back-door negotiations.
I am strongly against party-hopping and believe that every elected representative must stand in the ticket he was voted in. Alternatively, he should vacate his seat and seek a fresh mandate if he is unable to see eye to eye with his party. The will of the people expressed through the ballot must be respected by all, regardless of the margin of victory. That is the system. And everyone should abide by it, not only when it is convenient. In the long run, it benefits everyone.
However, the present state of confusion and uncertainty in Perak has been brought upon itself by PKR. Anwar started the ball rolling (and much to the excitement of his supporters who saw him as the 'saviour' of democracy in Malaysia) by declaring that he would form a new Federal government through defection of BN MPs by 16th September, 2008. Nothing came out of it except that Pakatan lost its moral high ground.
Last week Pakatan shot shot itself in the foot when it gleefully accepted Datuk Nasaruddin's defection to Pakatan. No questions asked about whether the voters voted for him or the party he represented. No calls for a fresh mandate.
What goes around comes around. Now Pakatan's Perak government is hanging by a thread. It can't object based on principles as it had none to begin with.
At least PAS and DAP had the sense of fair play when they decided not to be too carried away with Anwar's promise of a new government through defection. BN had the good sense not to 'entice' PAS assemblymen in Kelantan to defect when PAS held that state by a single majority between 2004-2008. That's fair play.
Anyway, the global economic meltdown has begun to wash on our shores. Some have just received their notice of termination. Many more will get theirs as factories close and companies cut back on their operations.
Many families will lose their home due to foreclosures and banks will collapse. Some banks and companies inevitably will be rescued with tax-payers money.
We need a steady captain in the form of a strong government to weather this storm. And everyone must do their part to see through the difficult times ahead. This needs concentrated and concerted effort. We can't do it if we are too busy politicking and pulling the rug under each other's feet.
Lets focus as a nation on how best to overcome the current economic turmoil. Lets play by the rules and let politics work itself out. Thank you.
Murugesan Sinnandavar
The previous week was about the death of A.Kugan in police custody. Last week it was about the Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim jumping ship from BN to Pakatan.
This week is all about Changkat Jering assemblyman Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu and Behrang Assemblyman Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi.
They were both declared to have vacated their seats by the Perak Speaker V. Sivakumar, only to be denied by the two involved. They have both now declared themselves as independents. The Election Commission has declined to declare both seats as vacant. No by-elections. In the meantime DAP has given the EC 48 hours to rescind its decision.
The drama is still unfolding as I am writing this. We do not know what is going to happen today or in the next few days. Rumours are going around that there will be more defection, that Pakatan will ask for a dissolution of the Perak state assembly, that BN will form a new state government with more 'defectors' joining its fold etc, etc.
What have we descended into? I still remember clearly the day George W. Bush was declared the winner of the 2000 Presidential Election by the narrowest of margin. Although Al Gore received the majority of popular votes, he abided by the wishes of the people as translated by the system. George W. Bush's authority as President nor his right to rule were never once challenged by the margin of his victory (of course the fact that he was one of the worst US President in living memory is another matter).
Recently, when John McCain, a decorated war hero lost to a ' newcomer' Barrack Hussein Obama, he called all Americans to come together to work with the new President. He said "he is President of the United Sates, he is my President". That is the integrity of those that uphold the system and respect the wishes of the people.
Unfortunately, we in Malaysia have succumbed to the low level of politics seen in the less developed third world countries where party-hopping is the norm and the will of the people is twisted through back-door negotiations.
I am strongly against party-hopping and believe that every elected representative must stand in the ticket he was voted in. Alternatively, he should vacate his seat and seek a fresh mandate if he is unable to see eye to eye with his party. The will of the people expressed through the ballot must be respected by all, regardless of the margin of victory. That is the system. And everyone should abide by it, not only when it is convenient. In the long run, it benefits everyone.
However, the present state of confusion and uncertainty in Perak has been brought upon itself by PKR. Anwar started the ball rolling (and much to the excitement of his supporters who saw him as the 'saviour' of democracy in Malaysia) by declaring that he would form a new Federal government through defection of BN MPs by 16th September, 2008. Nothing came out of it except that Pakatan lost its moral high ground.
Last week Pakatan shot shot itself in the foot when it gleefully accepted Datuk Nasaruddin's defection to Pakatan. No questions asked about whether the voters voted for him or the party he represented. No calls for a fresh mandate.
What goes around comes around. Now Pakatan's Perak government is hanging by a thread. It can't object based on principles as it had none to begin with.
At least PAS and DAP had the sense of fair play when they decided not to be too carried away with Anwar's promise of a new government through defection. BN had the good sense not to 'entice' PAS assemblymen in Kelantan to defect when PAS held that state by a single majority between 2004-2008. That's fair play.
Anyway, the global economic meltdown has begun to wash on our shores. Some have just received their notice of termination. Many more will get theirs as factories close and companies cut back on their operations.
Many families will lose their home due to foreclosures and banks will collapse. Some banks and companies inevitably will be rescued with tax-payers money.
We need a steady captain in the form of a strong government to weather this storm. And everyone must do their part to see through the difficult times ahead. This needs concentrated and concerted effort. We can't do it if we are too busy politicking and pulling the rug under each other's feet.
Lets focus as a nation on how best to overcome the current economic turmoil. Lets play by the rules and let politics work itself out. Thank you.
Murugesan Sinnandavar
19 comments:
YB Muru,
U r right. AT 4 pm today Sultan may declare the State Assembly dissolved nor Najib will convinced the SUltan to give BN another chance to take over.
Its so irritating to see the political play in the nation when the leaders should be addressing the solutions and recommendations to the citizens on folding their arms to resist the economic crunch.
I think we have MORE POLITICIANS THAN LEADERS
Please Sir, I am not a YB. Yes, the matter is very fluid and things are changing by the minute. Lets wait and see.
Right youre not a YB but should certainly be one.
Regards
Lingesh
Dear Mr. Muru,
You are very right. Both sides should stop pointing accusing fingers at each other and start working for the rakyat. As I write this the new MB has already been sworned in whilst the other side has not graciously accepted defeat. I think The Perak Sultan is well learned, wise and experienced. HRH must have looked at all the facts on the table and made a reasonable legal decision considering the best interest of the Perak state and rakyat. Constitutional authorities decisions must not be unnecessarily questioned otherwise anarchy would descend. We should let the new MB work together with the Federal Govt to overcome the economic hardship Perak is going to face soon.
Bravo for putting the facts on the table plainly and clearly for all to understand.
Your views and opinions are fair and well deliberated. All of which I am in total agreement with. I also agree with the views Mr Sanantham and Mr Nivas Ragavan.
Looks like you guys took the words right out of my mouth.
Regards
Kumaran Ananthavel
Dear Sir
Im just curious....you commented that you are (were) against party hopping especially those elected by the people.
Now lets focus on the issue, why does BN accepts this form of hopping and defection in order to govern the state. I thought Bn was very much against such conducts when PKR's Anwar Ibrahim made such calls last year.
Is it due to desperation after the loss in K.Terengganu by election that BN changed its stance on the issue?
Please be reminded after the huge bashing BN took on the last election....BN have not learnt any valuable lesson. The people make the final decision and the way things are going BN is bound to spend as oppositions in the parliament after the next eelction.
Im just curious, who oversees the BN election strategies? UMNO? Does MIC has any say in it?
Thank you for your space and time.
Regards
Asha Iyengar
Of course MIC has a say in the overall strategy, however at times the political situation on the ground is so fluid that quick decisions must be made. In cases such as defection, secrecy is given the utmost priority. Just like in any political party or alliance, decisions are at times made without consultation. YB Karpal stand against defection is a case in point.
Dear Sir
Coming back to the core issue that seems to lost its thunder with all the news coming from Perak...but lingering on among the Indian community.
Why expel and then re-instate Muthupalaniappan. The only man who dared in the true spirit of democracy to challenge the MIC chief. Bad strategy.....
There were loads of criticism hurled against MIC after Muthupalaniappan was expelled and then this followed by a dramatic twist...when the MIC CWC re-instated the man.
The defiance shown by Samy Vellu is reaping more disaster for MIC. Honestly do you think MIC can garner any support like it used to have in the next election?
MIC should have removed Samy since he will not go away....and begin reforming itself.
Having Samy in MIC is a liability and no Indian would want anything to do with an organisation which is made up of yes men and puppets.
Just to humour you sir...here is a quote from Robin William's "Man of The Year" - "Politicians are like diapers, They both need changing regularly and for the same reason".
I hope you understand the real mood on the ground and pray you keep your ears firmly on it.
Thank you for your space and time.
Regards
Asha Iyengar
If some one from a favoured party hops to another party, we call him a defector. When someone from another party hops to a favoured party; he becomes a convert.
Anyway, why shouldn’t BN accept these defectors or converts, what ever we choose to call them. I’m sure we have all heard of the phrase;'strength in numbers'
Anyway, I’m also curious; I wonder if Miss Iyengar remembers Anwar Ibrahim’s farce right after the general elections, he did claim he was going to form a new government with the help some defector, I mean converts. Another curious thing; Anwar seem pretty quiet these days, I
wonder why?
Regards
Shanker D
Mr.Muru,
How do like this "Semangat Barisan Nasional"?
"Umno mahu bertanding di kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Bukit Selambau kerana mendakwa MIC berpecah kepada tiga kumpulan, menyebabkan parti itu sukar menang di kerusi berkenaan.
Seorang pemimpin Umno bahagian Merbok berkata, tiga kumpulan terbabit masing-masing diketuai oleh Pengerusi MIC negeri, Datuk V Saravanan; bekas calon dalam pilihanraya umum lalu, V Krishnan dan satu kumpulan lagi yang diketuai oleh timbalan pengerusi MIC Kedah, M Ananda.
Menurutnya, ini menyebabkan pengundi India berpecah kepada tiga kumpulan.
“Sudah tentu peluang MIC untuk menang sukar............."
If UMNO says something in public its OK, but is other componenet parties say something its "Tak ada semangat barisan nasional"
Good Day Sir
Being a consultant who seem to live out of a suitcase all because of the nature of my work. That does not however deprive me from trying to update myself on issues concerning indians.
So I decided to comment on the isues thru your blog and you allowing it to be posted ( a very big thank you).
Now coming to the core issues I have always brought up....another scandal popped up involving who else but the ever elegant MIC chief. My my my.... is it me or just my imagination?
How many times would it take to sink in into MIC...the golden truth...Samy Velu should go. MIED scandal lid has just been lifted...the juicy stuffs are about to spill out so brace yourselves and tune into your convenient media for another great scandal. Maybe this is Samy's swan song scandal :) Whether he will be charged and found guilty or all the fiasco will be conveniently go quietly into the dark....one thing for sure..history will remember this man and his regime as the most contrevercial and corrupt.
I believe those who have been elected to office should be term restricted like the US presidency....or else we risk having tyrants and despots in power.
Thank you again for your time and space.
Kind Regards
Asha Iyengar
Good Day Shankar D
Im against all these party defecting. The point I was trying to make is the people chose the candidates and for these candidates to take matters into their hands without prior consultation of the voters is just sheer unethical.
Anway may have said he has credible records of MPs waiting/wanting to defect but I wasnt all too impressed by such claims.
Anyway Anway should just let BN operate the way they are doing at the moment because BN have shown it has not learned any lesson from the last election.
BN's downfall is eminent.
Good Day Sir
This morning I found from a web news that MIC election will be held soon.
Are you contesting for the youth chief post? or for any other posts?
The MIC's constitution should be amended so that the tenure of Presidency should be limited to a maximum of three terms....what do u think? Its good for the party in drawing new blood - new ideas, strategy, vision etc.
MIC should move forward and drop the colonial mind set of having this "dorai" and "coolie" concepts.
The elected officials should be aware of their duty in serving the community who voted for them.
They are the servants of the voters. When i say voters, the whole community, not just the handful few who wield influence (businessmen etc) who lobby and then get their rewards i.e contracts and what not.
Democracy is never perfect in the hands of politicians. That is the universal truth. In order to cultivate a healthy concept of democracy we should all work collectively to re-brand MIC in meeting its original purpose i.e to serve the indian mass in Malaysia.
I do understand the reality of real-politiks, which is a theory of politics that focuses on considerations of power, not ideals, morals, or principles.
Sadly its a universal practise.
I am worried young upcoming leaders like yourself in MIC who started with idealistic intention to serve the community will be tainted by this coercive politics.
I am but a young and naive voter who cherish such idealism, and I am of the mass who hope for a better tommorrow for my people...
Thank you for your space and time.
Kind Regards
Asha Iyengar
Dear Miss Asha,
Yes, MIC election is just around the corner and we can already feel the heat. No, I won't be contesting for the Youth Leader's post as I am over forty now. I intend however to contest for a seat in the Central Working Committee, provided that I survive the Divisional level election.
Thank you for your kind words. I do ask the same questions myself from time to time, ie. how far have i moved from my ideals or Is this the RIGHT thing to do. I will stay in and fight as long as I am convinced that I have not compromised my principles. I don't think sound principles and politics are incompatible. People forget that the likes of Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela are politicians. I just hope I can accomplish something worthwhile in my little corner of the larger scheme of things. Have a good day Asha!
Dear Mr. Murugesan,
You are by far the only person in MIC who I see and know to “walk the walk and talk the talk" from the very beginning and still remain strong to your principles.
Now, I have a question for you. You have been in MIC for a while already, but still I see you sidelined by the party stalwarts in favor of those less experienced and, educated and less polished then you.
Some of these people who hold top office make me cringe. They are corrupt, arrogant, speak so badly, devoid of any decorum and represent Indians in such a terrible light. They are just an embarrassment to our community.
Now I wonder, Are all the above the true prerequisites to joining MIC? In that case sir, you certainly don’t fit the MIC mould. YOU should defect!
You are the kind of person who I would like to see represent our community. A fresh, clean and educated person. I know you can bridge the divide between us Indians and the rest of Malaysia. But sadly I don’t think Samy Velu and the rest of his honchos, would allow you to shine in MIC for fear that you would revamp all that they stand for; suppression, nepotism and corruption.
Please don’t disagree. Please stop defending Samy Velu and all his ineffectual cronies.You’re a self made man. You don’t owe them anything. GET OUT of this scum infested Party. You don’t belong there.
The very fact that Samy Velu and the rest of his MIC cronies have not utilized your talent should be loud enough message that they are scared old blind mice’s who want the cheese all for their selfish selves, no matter how rotten it is.
Your talent and ability will be rightfully appreciated in any other party, even PAS!
Regards
Roshan. B
Hello Mr Murugesan,
How come no news for so long? I have always enjoyed reading your point of view as I find it fair, sensible and always leaning towards the "Makkal"
Would love to hear your opinion on our new Prime Minister
Regards
Rajesh
Oh dear,
The people have spoken but I bet I will fall on some deaf ears again.
Despite all the instant noodles PKR newcomer still buried aged MIC.
Long live Makkal Sakthi.
Mr.Muru,
"The decisive defeat suffered by MIC/Barisan Nasional in Bukit Selambau on Tuesday signals the end of the road for party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu's political career after he had ignored strong advice from Umno leaders to walk away.
Instead, Samy had led the MIC campaign from the front, turning off Indian voters with the constant refrain that he has done great things for the Indian community.
The community had clearly rejected him on several occasions – first in the November 25 2007 protest, then in boycotting the Thaipusam festivities at Batu Caves in 2008 and finally at the polls on March 8, 2008.
Despite such overt rejection, Samy had refused to step down but instead went on a “rebranding” exercise of the battered party which even his former loyalists now say was a futile exercise.
"
Can the man walk?
Mr Muru,
Any comments on our new Prime Minister and his cabinet?
Hope to here from you soon
Rajesh
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