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

[Adrian Wong]

No more NEP in Opposition-controlled states? Too bad it will only apply to their administrations. But it's a start. It should be Bangsa Malaysia (Malaysian race) from now on, not Malay, Chinese or Indian!

Opposition keen to dump BN policies

New opposition Selangor govt free to end New Economic Policy

By Reme Ahmad, THE STRAITS TIMES

MALAYSIA'S three-party opposition coalition that is forming the state government in Selangor has raised eyebrows for declaring that it will scrap the affirmative action policy favouring Malays.

The trio - Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) - secured control of Malaysia's most industrialised state in Saturday's polls.

Yesterday, PKR secretary-general and Menteri Besar-designate Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, when asked if the New Economic Policy (NEP) would be dropped, said: 'That will be the standard. The NEP is not part of the Constitution. All three of us are of the same mindset.'

The NEP was launched in 1970 after the bloody 1969 race riots in Malaysia to placate unhappiness that Malays were being left behind economically. It aims to uplift them and other bumiputeras with preferential quotas for university places, jobs and housing.

But Malaysia's Chinese and Indian communities have complained bitterly against the discriminatory policy. Malays, too, have lamented that the NEP as practised today only enriches those with political connections as they get big government contracts without proper tenders.

Among the politically connected, the phrase 'go for direct nego' is bandied about, short for direct negotiations for tenders, instead of going for a transparent process.

Tan Sri Khalid was echoing what the de facto leader of PKR, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, had said about dismantling the NEP in its present form.

Datuk Seri Anwar had declared that he wanted to introduce a new economic strategy to help the poor of all races, though details of such a plan had never been issued.

Analysts yesterday said that whether in Selangor or other states captured by the loose opposition alliance such as Penang, Perak or Kedah, state governments have the full right to drop the NEP.

This is because the policy is merely a platform to help the bumiputeras catch up economically and socially with other races, but is not part of the Constitution.

Article 153 of the Constitution grants the Malaysian king the responsibility for safeguarding the rights and privileges of the bumiputeras, but the NEP is not part of it, said constitutional lawyer Professor Shad Faruqi.

'The NEP is grounded in Article 153, but there is no mention of such a thing in the Constitution. It needs no constitutional amendment to change it,' he told The Straits Times.

But whether such a move would be politically acceptable to the Malays is the big question.

'They, the coalition in Selangor, are now the state government, and they have the right to do it. But if they don't do it right, they might be thrown out the next time,' said Datuk Ruhanie Ahmad, a former senior MP who was involved in discussions on the NEP under the National Economic Consultative Council.

'Of course the Malays will turn it into a racial issue. It needs to be explained to them what are the advantages for them.'

It is also likely to be exploited by the Malay-based Umno as a sign of the opposition's betrayal of the race, said other analysts.

Under Malaysian law, state governments have the final decision on land and religious issues, and on such things as opening up tenders for local town councils to every race or issuing trade licences regardless of race quotas.

Kelantan, the only other opposition-held state, has not had to confront the issue of continuing with the NEP in its state contracts because it has an overwhelmingly Malay population at 90 per cent.

The planned move by Selangor would not be the first time that Malaysia is taking steps to remove the NEP, but it might be the most radical.

Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad received a lot of flak several years ago when he introduced a limited form of meritocracy for places in public universities.

Under the system, bumiputeras using the equivalent A-level results to apply for a place would compete directly with non-Malays. But bumiputeras could also enter by an easier route - through matriculation schools.

Despite grumbling, the policy has continued to this day.

[Adrian Wong]

Is this not proof of misconduct and/or mismanagement by Khir Toyo, ex-Chief Minister of Selangor???

Selangor State Officials Destroyed Document

Sin Chew Daily

State Officials of former Selangor Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Mohamad Khir Toyo have returned to State Government Office to pack but also destroyed some official documents.

Newly appointed Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abd Khalid Ibrahim arrived at Level 19 the building at 2.35pm for a close-door meeting with the former State Secretary and Treasurer.

Around 3.15pm, there were 5 to 6 officers at Level 12 started to destroy some documents. Level 12 was believed to be the Admin & Management division.

Party members of PKR and DAP immediately rushed over to stop the activity, and insisted that these documents are state property therefore must be retained regardless of the contents.

After the "destroy-document" exercise was stopped, the documents were scattered everywhere. According to sources, some of them were minutes of meetings, and some were marked "confidential document".

[ALstonLoong]

Frankly speaking, this is not the one im looking forward.

DAP to boycott Perak MB swearing-in

PETALING JAYA: The DAP central executive committee (CEC) has voiced its unhappiness over the appointment of Perak PAS secretary Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as Mentri Besar of Perak.

In a statement on Wednesday, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said, “The DAP CEC has given approval for the formation of a Perak coalition government headed by DAP or PKR but not by PAS.”

Lim said DAP leaders, members and supporters are shocked at the decision to appoint a PAS assemblyman as Perak MB.

“DAP is prepared to accept DAP chairman and assemblyman for Sitiawan Ngeh Koo Ham or PKR Behrang assemblyman Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi as Perak Mentri Besar. “As the appointment of Mohamad Nizar as Perak Mentri Besar representing the third and smallest political party in the proposed coalition has not received the mandate of the CEC, DAP Perak assemblymen will stay away from the swearing-in ceremony for Perak Mentri Besar scheduled Thursday.”

[Adrian Wong]

There may be trouble brewing in Perak, but things seem to be going well in Penang...

Lim breaks tradition to appoint two deputy CMs, a first for an Indian

For the first time in the history of Malaysian governance, an Indian has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Penang. Prof P. Ramasamy, the political debutant who upset former Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon at the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat in the March 8 general election, was named today by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to hold that post.

The 58-year-old political scientist also won the Prai state seat, defeating BN's L. Krishnan and independent R. Ulaganathan. Under the previous Gerakan-led administration, the position was helmed by an Umno representative.

The newly sworn-in Lim also named Parti Keadilan Rakyat's Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, 32, as the first deputy chief minister. Mohammad Fairus, also a newcomer to the general election, is a think-tank member of the strategic advisory in the national integration development bureau located at the PKR headquarters. He beat BN's Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid for the Penanti state seat.

This is also the first time in history a state has two deputy chief ministers. The two, along with eight other state executive councillors, will take their oath of office before Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas tomorrow. Lim is still finalising the list of the eight executive councillors.

Speaking at a Press conference in his office in Komtar, Lim said the appointment of the two deputy chief ministers was to represent the multi-racial people in the state. "This morning's appointment shows our commitment and initiative in representing all the different racial composition in the state,” he said. "We want the people in the state to feel they have a stake in the newly-formed state government."

Lim said DAP and PKR had also agreed on the allocations for the state executive councillors' posts. The State Legislative Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker posts' will be given to PKR.

The previous Gerakan-led state government had nine state executive councillors besides the chief minister's and deputy chief minister's posts.

"We are putting forward a highly qualified team to bring the state to greater heights,” he said. "It is our commitment to ensure that no groups are marginalised ... we will listen to what the people have to say."

Lim stressed that the new DAP-PKR joint government will be a people-friendly government.

Asked if there will be any changes to the previous portfolios, Lim said the possibility was there. However, the state government would deal with it after the swearing-in today, he said.

Asked if he was pressured from certain groups who claimed the Malays were being sidelined, he said: "The DAP-PKR is a coalition government and it has no intention to sideline anyone. I want to stress that we represent all the people of Penang. Whatever policies implemented are for the good of all and not only a particular group."

On the sole Pas representative in the State Assembly Mohd Hamdan Abd Rahman's request that the party be given a seat in the State Exco, Lim said since this was a DAP-PKR joint government, it would make the necessary arrangement for Mohd Hamdan, which will be announced later.

Mohd Hamdan defended his Permatang Pasir state seat against BN's Mohd Shahar Shuib.

In an immediate response, Ramasamy thanked the state government for having the trust in him to carry out the huge responsibility. "Since this is the people's mandate and they want democracy and justice, I will work hard to meet their expectations. This is also a good example to other states that all races should be represented towards a more effective and efficient administration.”

Mohammad Fairus pledged to give his best and ensure no groups, in particular Malays, are marginalised. "I will also ensure all enjoy a fair share in the economy pie," he added, saying that his main focus was also in education. His first degree was in political sciences from the International Islamic University.

He also holds a master degree in strategic and defence from Universiti Malaya and masters in business administration from the United Kingdom. - NST

[Adrian Wong]

I totally agree with them. Koh Tsu Koon was a gentleman, even in defeat. He may have done very little for Penang, but no one can say he was anything less than a gentleman.

Grace In Defeat

It was surprising to see a mess in the state secretary office of Selangor that was covered by shredded or torn documents and photos.
It made the people wonder why they destroyed the documents at this moment in which the old state government has just left and the new state government is yet to be formed.

Is it necessary to destroy them if they are just ordinary documents? Can these documents be destroyed if they are rightful and legitimate administrative confidential documents?

It would cause all kinds of speculation if the former state government fail to reasonably explain itself for the destruction of the documents.

The former Selangor Menteri Besar cried when the election results on Saturday (8 Mar) was revealed. But he did not admit defeat and congratulate the winner like other leaders. He also did not come forward to pass the regime to the new state government.

A person in a high position will completely expose his true character in front of others and when he steps down, it shows his manner and upbringing. Especially for those who are arrogant and harsh when they are in power, it will be hard for them to face the reality of defeat as they are fear of being hit back by others.

On the contrary, for those who are humble, they will just take it free and easy like former Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon, who admitted defeat and congratulated the winner, as well as promised to pass the regime to the new state government right after knowing he has lost. It showed his gentleman manner.

The most precious value of the Chinese would be to show one's dignity, virtue and integrity in any situation. Dignity means to respect for oneself and for others. Virtue refers to humanity and justice. These are the basic values for human beings.

People judge the performance of a politician by his dignity, virtue and integrity.

Koh must be sad and disappointed as he lost the state of Penang but he generously conceded and congratulate the winner, this should showed his dignity and won him tribute from the public.

Koh not only did not destroy any official document but also invited Lim Guan Eng to pay a visit to his office before the new state government was officially formed. He was generous and sincere.

There are winners and losers in all kinds of competitions and there are victories and defeats in political elections. Most importantly, a person should show his dignity, virtue and integrity.

The worst would be those who play dirty tricks after losing the competition. It is indeed justified that “it takes opportunity to step in and it takes wisdom to step down”.

[ALstonLoong]

Hopefully they wont screw up as ppl has vote them with hope. We all would like to see some changes eventhough just 5 states. Frankly, i would like to see they able to work together and bring benefit to us specially corruption , inflation and management of the country. We have 3 main races, if not able to work hand in hand ...there will be no " future" for this country on coming years.

[marc]

wah. so fast already they fighting in Perak. WHY????

[Adrian Wong]

Woohooo!!! Here's a great editorial by Michael Backman.

Michael Backman, THE AGE

The birthday of Samy Vellu, the long-serving public works minister and head of the party that represents Malaysia's Indian community, coincided with election day but it was Malaysians who got the birthday present. Samy lost his seat.

MALAYSIA Boleh! (Malaysia Can!) is Malaysia's national slogan but after last Saturday's elections, the real slogan should be Malaysians Boleh! for ordinary Malaysians are to be congratulated. The humiliation they handed their government at the federal and state elections demonstrates how politically sophisticated and mature they have become in the face of a high-handed and patronising government.

Five state governments were won by the opposition and federally, the Government had its worst showing ever. But it was the clinical precision in which voters went about their business that was most impressive.

Zainuddin Maidin, the information minister, lost his seat. A measure of how complacent the Government had become was its appointment of the inept Zainuddin to the role in the first place. His appalling performance on Al Jazeera television late last year was a very public international humiliation for all Malaysians. Voters did what Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi did not have the guts to do: they removed him from office.

Malaysia's media has become so discredited that local bloggers are now hugely popular. Zainuddin had patronisingly warned Malaysians about false information spread by bloggers. They responded by voting one of the most popular bloggers — Jeff Ooi — into parliament.

The birthday of Samy Vellu, the long-serving public works minister and head of the party that represents Malaysia's Indian community, coincided with election day but it was Malaysians who got the birthday present. Samy lost his seat.

No one is more to blame than he for driving Malaysia's Indians into their pitiful state as second-class citizens. His deputy also lost his seat, as did the head of the party's youth wing, its vice-president, and the head of its women's wing. The party barely exists now.

Meanwhile, a lawyer who championed the rights of Indians and who has been detained without charge since December because of it, won a seat in a state parliament — a seat in which the majority of voters are actually Chinese. It seems that ordinary Malaysians have a greater sense of fair play than their Government.

The Government lost power in the state of Penang. Lim Guan Eng, the much-respected new chief minister, was arrested and jailed in 1994 after he distributed a brochure complaining about the handling of claims that the (then) chief minister of Malacca, Rahim Thamby Chik, had sexual relations with an under-age girl who happened to be one of Lim's constituents.

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by marc

wah. so fast already they fighting in Perak. WHY????

Because PAS only won 6 seats, while DAP has three times as many seats at 18. PKR won 7.

So, it appears that DAP is of the opinion that the Chief Minister post should go to them, as the largest party in the coalition.. or the PKR rep they agreed to, at the very least.

[marc]

hmm.. sad. sounds like they're gonna be pissed for some time. >.<