Malaysia's Elections 2008 (Before, During & After)

[Dashken]

Revolution of the mind

“If we've lost, we've lost" - Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, at post-election press conference, March 9 2008

Kesilapan besar Abdullah antaranya walaupun beliau mempunyai anggota Majlis Tertinggi Umno dan Kabinet sebagai penasihat utamanya, namun beliau tidak mengambil pandangan mereka kerana dilaporkan beliau pernah berkata ‘I trust the young one’. - Harakah Daily.Net, March 9, 2008

(To the question: Has Umno become irrelevant?) For the moment, yes. It's not always so. If Umno serves the country well, and looks after all the different races, then Umno will be relevant again. - Dr Mahathir Mohamad, March 9, 2008

Malaysia's 12th general election must now be a possible topic of a hundred PhD dissertations. It is about a revolution in a country trapped in the excesses of hypermodernity. The revolution was aided by the power of cybernetics and the daulat of the rakyat.

It was fuelled by the ruling regime's abuse of the ideological state apparatuses. It was also a rude awakening for a leader snoozing in Sleepy Hollow. While he slept, the rakyat engineered a usurpation - a quiet and unique revolution.

This was the ethnogenesis (birth of a new culture) of hopefully a more sober and sensible Malaysia ready to work together regardless of race, colour, creed, national origin.

There is a lot of work to be done in the area of social justice, education for multi-culturalism, and development for the people, by the people, for the people.

A lot of people must also be brought to justice - those who have been for decades protected by a corrupt regime. We have seen much violation of human rights. We have seen many who voiced their opinion on matters of social justice and freedom thrown into jail and detained without trial.

We have seen, especially during the Abdullah administration, the rise of Malay politicians whose leit motif has been arrogance and perpetuation of dangerous divisive politics.

Back to the Malaysian Revolution of 2008. It was like the storming of the Bastille in France. Malaysians saw the fall of the four states and the rise of a new 'cybernetic' fourth estate. The broadcast media of the old regime gave way to the new, subaltern media of the revolutionary forces. There was no need to storm and take over Angkasapuri.

Revolutionary ideals and notions of social justice were disseminated far fast, far, and wide through the Internet. Bloggers, columnists, members of MUD (Multiuser Domains), street artists, intellectuals, social activists, and the man and woman on the street were the revolutionary soldiers.

The hegemony of the ruling party has made many skeptical of the same miraculous win as in 2004. ‘Materials, machinery, and media’, as the eminent anthropologist turned politician Syed Husin Ali would say, 'are the foundation of authoritarianism and hegemony'.

I would add that the mind of Malaysians has quietly processed what constitutes truth and justice. Silently the revolution got underway; a revolution of the mind aided by digital communication technologies spearheaded by bloggers who evolved into ‘blogo-ticians’.

ewer paradigm

Any progressive change is exciting, as long as the revolution is a peaceful one that works towards eradication of poverty, improving the intellectual climate of universities, and true religious and racial harmony.

The people of Penang, Kedah, Perak, and Selangor will now shift to a new paradigm. Tanjung II is now a reality, and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang's dream has come true.

Universiti Utara Malaysia in Kedah will need to be in smart partnership and make intellectual adjustments to a new paradigm. The university faculty will need to read The Blue Ocean Strategy to exist in harmony with the new ruling party. Any effort to free universities from the shackles of political domination is good.

Selangor, the advanced state, will move a new level of sophistication but one founded upon sustainable development that meets the needs of people. The same goes for the paradigm of development in Perak.

Kelantan's prayers against a takeover by Barisan Nasional (BN) was answered. Some say that truth and justice will always be allies of the righteous.

Full credit goes to Malaysians from all walks of life. They are the real winners and they are not to be betrayed. Their children need a better life, through education as a means for social, economic, moral, ethical, and intellectual progress. They are much more intelligent now, after 50 years of independence.

Why did the BN fail? Take your pick:

The next step for the four new states is to phase out the vestiges of the old regime and to document what did not work. How did the process of underdevelopment of the rakyat happen in those decades? Documents need to be secured and analysed to prove what went wrong and how we must move forward based on the principles of total accountability.

Each state run by the new order of governance must showcase what an ethical system looks like and how the creativity and problem-solving skills of the rakyat ought to be developed. This will teach us what development based on needs means, instead of one based on greed and conspicuous consumption. The latter has destroyed this nation.

The new regime needs to bring abusers of power to justice. The universities need to be freed, the education system need to be radically improved, good healthcare plans made affordable, the Mat Rempit and Along stopped, cultural pride restored through schooling that improves higher-order thinking skills, poverty eliminated, and the independence of the judiciary restored.

The party's over but the revolution continues. Malaysians must make a Malaysian Malaysia a reality.

This revolution is made possible by the daulat of the rakyat - the Makkal Sakti of Malaysia's Radical Marhaenism, conceived by many Shao Lin masters and one whose zeal was transmitted through cyberspace!

Source: Revolution of the mind

[Dashken]

Abdullah sworn in as PM for second term

A defiant Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was sworn for a second term as Malaysian prime minister today, rejecting calls to quit after presiding over the ruling coalition's worst ever election results.

Dressed in a traditional costume and matching "songkok", Abdullah was sworn in by the Agong in a solemn ceremony at the royal palace in Kuala Lumpur.

Also attending were his heir apparent, deputy prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, and other senior ministers.

Abdullah's coalition was mauled in Saturday's election, losing its crucial two-thirds majority in parliament for the first time since 1969 and conceding four states to the resurgent opposition, which now controls five in all.

Voters punished the government for rising inflation and its mishandling of racial tensions, leading to a backlash from Malaysia's minority ethnic Chinese Indians as well as Muslim Malays who form its powerbase.

But Abdullah told supporters he would not quit.

To continue the struggle

"Why should I step down?" he told a cheering crowd outside his home late Sunday. "Our party has won. I do not fear anyone except Allah. I will stay on, I will not give up.

"We have to continue our struggle, our agenda is far from over. We want our country to be progressive and successful and for you, the people, to be happy," he added.

Abdullah's task now is to form a new government under the Barisan Nasional coalition, dominated by his Umno.

"I give you my word, ladies and gentlemen, that I will continue my efforts to strengthen Umno and Barisan Nasional, to launch the manifesto that we have promised so that our country will be safe, peaceful and properous," he said.

Veteran leader Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who ruled for two decades before handing power to Abdullah as his chosen successor in 2003, accused the prime minister of "destroying" the coalition and led calls for his resignation.

"I think he should accept responsibility for this. He should accept 100 percent responsibility," Mahathir said Sunday.

"I am sorry, but I apparently made the wrong choice."

However there was support for Abdullah from abroad, with the United States signalling it was ready to keep up close cooperation with the government and saying he remained a viable partner.

"We have seen the preliminary election results and we look forward to working closely with Prime Minister Abdullah's government on a wide range of issues of mutual interest," State Department spokesman Kurtis Cooper told AFP.

Stunning comeback

Meanwhile the opposition, led by former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim - who has made a stunning political comeback after his sacking and jailing a decade ago - was getting down to business.

The opposition parties - Anwar's PKR, the Chinese-based DAP and the Islamic party PAS - won an unprecedented four states in the polls.

PAS also extended its margin in northern Kelantan state, which it already held by a thin majority.

State media said PAS would appoint chief ministers in Kedah while a DAP figure will preside in Penang and a PKR chief minister will run Selangor and Perak.

Anwar said late Sunday that the coalition parties would be able to put aside their ideological differences and govern effectively.

He said they would "focus on the economic issue and trying to resolve some of the problems affecting the masses, particularly in the issue of poverty and the normal needs of an average citizen.

"What was promised will be enforced with the best of ability."

Anwar is banned from holding public office until April due to a conviction for corruption, and had said before the vote that he would enter parliament in a by-election in a Keadilan-held seat.

However, he said there were no immediate plans to do that as he had a full workload rallying the newly-elected Keadilan lawmakers.

"I'm not rushed to prepare for a by-election," he added. (-AFP)

Source: Abdullah sworn in as PM for second term

[Dashken]

PKR reps in a rush to get down to work

A real carnival atmosphere was evident at PKR’s de facto Anwar Ibrahim’s house in Segambut last night. The reason was obvious - the party has had its best ever results in a general election, winning 31 parliamentary and 40 state seats.

The manner in which the party’s new Yang Berhormats patted each other on the back and shook hands, it was evident that this was a significant achievement for the party.

More interestingly, they had achieved this as a single party with three different races fighting on issues for everyone instead of their own communities.

The modest dinner to congratulate all the winners last night looked more like conference for activists with R Sivarasa, Elizabeth Wong, Wee Choo Keong, Dr Syed Husin Ali, the new Selangor MB designate Khalid Ibrahim than a gathering of politicians.

Not until Anwar entered the stage did the event carry an air of politics. Nevertheless, after a quick round to congratulate the winners and console the less fortunate, the PKR de facto leader got down to business straight away.

With everyone ushered into his living room, the 60-year-old restored order with a quick, "Yang Berhormats, kita dah nak bermula. (YBs, we are about to start)"

"We called this meeting to meet all the Parliament and state representatives, to remind them of their commitment to a reform agenda."

"This is a historic moment and marks the beginning of a new era for the country, PKR and our political partners. We won because of the support and the aspirations of all the different races."

"Our representatives will be constantly reminded that the mandate is given by all Malaysians and not any specific race," said Anwar.

The party’s main priority

While he admitted that race-base politics are still a factor in Malaysia, he hoped that PKR's multi-ethnic platform will be the base for an alternative vision.

"The assumption that this party cannot exists by analysts is flawed. What they attempted to do was to compare us to what Onn Jaafar tried to do 50 years ago. That had different circumstances and a different agenda."

Sandwiched between his wife and party president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Syed Husin and Khalid, Anwar said that they are also bound to fight abuse of power, mismanagement and corruption.

Poverty, inflation and public housing issues will be their main priority.

Their first priority, is also to set up a state government in Selangor with Khalid as the Menteri Besar and support their partners DAP and PAS in Penang, Kedah and Kelantan. PKR was due to discuss the MB position in Perak last night.

"Once we are done with setting up or supporting our partners in the formation of state governments, everyone must get to work immediately," said Anwar.

But he told everyone that there should be no unnecessary costs involved.

"There will be no new cars or huge budgets for renovating offices and so forth. Those are the excesses of the past that we must not adopt."

"We will also not surrender any cars to the outgoing excos as is the normal practice, so that everyone uses the existing vehicles. Because the tradition of selling cars to the outgoing Menteris Besar cheaply need to be stopped," he explained.

On Saturday, Malaysia went through a historic moment more important than sending a man into space.

It was momentous not because it had given the opposition its biggest mandate. It was significant not because it denied Barisan Nasional its routine two-thirds majority. It was meaningful not because it was a peaceful transition.

But it was historic because Malaysians have come of age and broke away from their communal fears to vote away from racial lines.

The rakyat are used to promises to end corruption, provide transparency and to help the poor regardless of race before. Hopefully, PKR will keep theirs.

Source: PKR reps in a rush to get down to work

[Adrian Wong]

I'm back!!!! Been busy celebrating and rehashing the news with my godsister and family in Penang. Everywhere we go, everyone seems to be completely behind the political tsunami in Penang!!! Go Rockets!!! Go PRK!!! Go PAS!!!

I think everyone is just fed up with the corruption and mismanagement by Mr. Sleepy Head and his cocky little Son-In-Law. Although the TV commentators kept saying that it was all because of the Chinese (who apparently always vote according to their stomachs) and the Indians (who were "just" pissed at Samy Vellu and MIC), the fact of the matter is our Malay brothers and sisters were as much part of the revolution as the rest of us!! WE WON THIS TOGETHER!!!!

[Adrian Wong]

Thanks Dash for posting up the updates. I wanted to come in to update but man.. so busy celebrating! Tomorrow, I will be going out to celebrate with another gang of Rocketeers!

Man, you can't believe how loudly they shouted when they heard that Mr. Semi Value lost! We may not be Indians, but that's the point. This battle is way beyond race and religion. He's a corrupt bastard who RICHLY deserves to lose.

[Adrian Wong]

I wish the Opposition coalition the best of luck. Please don't fail us! The people have given you a CLEAR MANDATE - WE WANT CHANGE!!!

So, we are counting on you step up and deliver what you have promised!

[Adrian Wong]

The dawn of new era in Selangor

THE people of Selangor woke up on Sunday morning to confront a new government for the first time in Malaysian history.

With a majority of seats won over by the former opposition parties, the Selangor can expect a new administration, both at state and local government levels.

The most ostensible change the people will witness is the replacement of the Mentri Besar (MB) and the members of his office.

“The new MB will appoint new people. My take is that all the existing councillors in the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Subang Jaya Town Council (MPSJ) will be removed, and there are good chances that the new councillors appointed are those who live within the constituencies,” said Derek Fernandez, an expert in local government and town planning law.

He said under the Local Govern-ment Act 1976, the appointment of councillors is the prerogative of the MB.

Which meant that political affiliation would not hold weight in the appointment of a councillor, as was the practise in the old regime, added Fernandez.

“For instance, Edward Lee (Bukit Gasing assemblyman, DAP) has promised to appoint to the council community leaders and professionals in their own fields,” he said.

This would pave the way for local government elections; however, the same Act would have to be amended at the Federal and state levels for it to be possible.

“The new MB would have to consult with his legal experts to find out if a unilateral amendment can be made to move for elections at the local government level.”

Fernandez believes the appointment of new officers would result in a check on the revenue situation of the council.

“The change in the people in office, will follow with structural changes and implementation of policies which may translate to substantial enhancement in the quality of life for the people of Selangor.

“I hope there will be transparency which translates to prosperity for all levels of the community in PJ,” he said. - STAR

YES!!!!!!!!!!! THE BLOODY CORRUPT MBPJ officials are OUTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!! GET THE FVCK OUT!!!

If only we can take our brooms and chase them out of their offices. Bloody corrupt, arrogant pricks.

Our opposition reps, please fight for our right to elect local councillors!!!

[Adrian Wong]

Look at Teresa Kok!! She won with an amazing majority of almost 36,500!!!!! Woohoooo!!!! And she won BOTH the seats she contested in - Seputeh and Kinrara. Amazing!!!!


DAP Teresa Kok posing with the ballot boxes after she retained her Seputeh (P122) parliamentary seat with a majority of 36,492 votes over BN candidate carol Chew Chee Lin. - 9 March, 2008

Go get them, tiger!!! Grrrr!!!

[Adrian Wong]

Bye, bye, Koh Tsu Koon!

You could have stayed on, if you only showed some guts and did your part for Penang. Too bad you just had no balls. Goodbye and good riddance!


Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon (BN) congratulate P. Ramasamy (DAP) (right) on his victory of Batu Kawan parliamentary seat. - 9 March, 2008

[Adrian Wong]

Weakened BN

Decimation of many of its component parties leaves ruling coalition with urgent task of revamping itself

By Hazlin Hassan, THE STRAITS TIMES

KUALA TERENGGANU - THE decimation of many parties in Barisan Nasional (BN) has left a fractured ruling coalition facing the urgent task of revamping itself to appeal to a new generation of voters.

The BN leadership appears to be in disarray, with three parties - the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), Gerakan and People's Progressive Party (PPP) - losing their chiefs and no obvious successors in sight.

Long-time MIC president S. Samy Vellu lost his parliamentary seat in a shocking defeat, and Gerakan acting president and outgoing Penang Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon lost to the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party (DAP).

Gerakan was all but wiped out in Penang state.

PPP president M. Kayveas also lost his Taiping parliamentary seat.

Tan Sri Koh has already taken full responsibility for his party's poor showing in the general election and has offered to step down.

'We did not expect such a big swing of votes in favour of the opposition,' he said.

'The party central committee will conduct a post mortem and have a meeting to determine my future as well as the party's.'

The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) - the largest Chinese-based party in BN - won only 15 out of the 40 seats it contested.

MIC won only three out of nine seats.

'The BN component parties underestimated the people. They have been in power for so long that they felt they were safe,' political analyst James Wong told The Straits Times.

'Gerakan was almost wiped out by DAP in Penang, even though ruling in Penang was the basis of its existence. Its existence is being challenged now,' he added.

'It is very serious.'

Mr Steven Gan, editor-in-chief of independent online news portal Malaysiakini, said: 'This could be the end of BN as we know it. They will have to reform themselves to regain their footing.

'A lot of people are unhappy with the way the country's been run, the level of corruption within the coalition, the arrogance towards the plight of the people.

'They will have to make some changes and make themselves a little bit more appealing to the voters.'

BN is also at a disadvantage racially.

'You are looking at a situation where the opposition can claim themselves to be more multiracial than BN because the non-Malay component parties in BN have almost been wiped out,' he said.

But the MCA still has a fighting chance despite winning only 15 seats.

'After a post-mortem, it can still regroup and fight again. Umno too,' said Mr Wong.

He envisions two scenarios: One is that Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi steps down immediately and Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak's premiership is speeded up.

The second is that Datuk Seri Abdullah remains for one or two years to cool things down and prevent an internal party crisis.

Nonetheless, many are keen to see the new Cabinet line-up following such a large-scale cull.

National University Malaysia Associate Professor Mohammad Agus Yusoff said: 'Ministers who have served more than two terms have to go. They are no longer relevant.

'The people want the most capable, cleanest and trustworthy minister to be fielded. That was a clear sign on Saturday.'

In the end, BN will have to do some vigorous soul-searching in order to move ahead and learn from this bitter pill.

'At any time, you cannot undermine the intellectual capacity of the people and the demands of the people,' said the associated professor.

'BN will have to look and ponder upon this and learn from their mistakes. They will need to tailor themselves to the current market trend.'