Malaysia: General Election 2008

PAS to consider pact with DAP after polls


PENANG: PAS is not dismissing the possibility of forming a direct pact with the DAP.

However, such a pact would only be considered after the election results are out, said its deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa.
“It will be decided when it happens,” he said to pressmen after a gathering with 400 northern region PAS Supporters Club members yesterday.

PAS has 2,000 members in the club, of which more than 50% are Chinese.

PAS, an Islamist party, formed a pact with secular party DAP during the 1999 general election.

DAP blamed its dismal performance in the 1999 general election on its pact with PAS.

“So far there has been no talk with DAP in terms of politics and planning. We do not have any relationship with DAP, we only have an understanding with PKR,” said Nasharuddin.

He said PAS was trying to break the wall of disunity, which he claimed was created by the Barisan Nasional.

“The gathering today shows that people of all races can be together to attend programmes if their minds are not corrupted by the Barisan propaganda,” he said.

He said the gathering was in line with PAS’ agenda to engage people of all races regardless of their religious beliefs.

“Members of our supporters club who are non-Muslims know that we do highlight issues that are not related to Islam.

“As a political party we fight on all aspects including economy, education and social issues,” he added.

Nasharuddin also alleges that Umno was akin to a terrorist party because it uses the keris (traditional weapon) in its logo.
“PAS is not a terrorist party,” he said.

Nasharuddin announced that PAS would contest five state seats and two parliament seats in Penang.

Asked whether Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman would be retained to defend the Permatang Pasir seat, he said the candidate list would only be made known on Friday.
Hamdan has served two terms as state assemblyman.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/elections2008/story.asp?file=/2008/2/17/election2008/20360140&sec=election2008
 
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Angry Hindraf supporters mob Samy

By A. LETCHUMANAN and DERRICK VINESH


BUTTERWORTH: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu was prevented by a group of people from leaving a function here.
The group, believed to be Hindu Rights Action Force supporters, surrounded his car last night and demanded for an undertaking for the release of women and children who were detained during a Hindraf rally in Kuala Lumpur yesterday morning.

They also locked the door of SJKC Chung Hwa Pusat 3 in Taman Senangin here where a Chinese New Year function was being held.

They relented after Samy Vellu said he would talk to the relevant authorities.

After 15 minutes, police came and cleared the way for Samy Vellu to leave.
It is understood that the group had been misinformed that some 100 children had been detained by police during the rally in Kuala Lumpur.
Police, however, said no children except for an 11-year-old girl were detained. The girl was later released.

J. Balamurugan, 31, one of the spokesmen for the group, said they only wanted to ensure that children were released.
Another supporter, M. Ravindran, 37, said the group did not want to hurt Samy Vellu or cause any problem.

Earlier, Samy Vellu was also jeered by a group when he was giving a speech at a meeting with Rukun Tetangga and Umno branch members at Chai Leng Park here.
After the function, he approached the people and listened to their problems.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/17/nation/20360417&sec=nation
 
Arrests of two activists for a free and fair election, condemned

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 (ES) - The arrest of two Bersih activists Feb 15 afternoon by the police were condemned by various quarters and sparks further concern whether the next general election would be "free" in addition to not being "fair".


Bersih steering committee member Syed Azman Syed Nawawi said the decision of the police to arrest People's Justice Party (KeADILan) information chief Tian Chua and another Bersih activist some 100 metres from the gates of the National Palace's was a "disappointment".

He charged that the police had been "rough and violent" in arresting the two while delegates of Bersih – a coalition of some 70 non-governmental organizations, political parties and trade unions campaigning for a free and fair election - was holding a press conference after they handed a memorandum to a Palace official.

Also present to hand a memorandum to the Palace's official at the same event were Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) leaders, including its vice president Mohamad Sabu.

Bersih memorandum highlighted the fact that the Election Commission (EC) had failed to meet short term demands made by Bersih namely for indelible ink to be used, for electoral rolls to be cleaned up from "phantom voters", for postal votes to be abolished and for fair access to the media for all parties.

PAS memorandum meanwhile highlighted about 1,031 postal voters names that were incorporated into the registration roll in the state seat of Belantek in Kedah despite the names not being displayed during verification period.
In a press conference held at the PAS headquarter here, Syed Azman called for the "unconditional" immediate release of the two arrested and warned that this development indicates the climate that the opposition parties would have to face in the next general election.

The EC had fixed Feb 24 for nomination day and March 8 for polling day.
Also present at yesterday's press conference were Tenaganita director Irene Fernandez, human rights watchdog Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) executive director Yap Swee Seng and PKR vice president Sivarasa Rasiah.



Election that is not free and fair
Fernandez who was also supposed to be part of the Bersih delegates at the National Palace expressed disbelief at what had transpired.

"What is wrong with talking to the media," she asked, postulating that the situation during campaigning period would be even more restrictive if today's development was taken as an indication.

"I'm very angry with what has happened," Fernandez who is also PKR Supreme Council member said.

Sivarasa said the fact that 30 people standing together to give a press conference was "attacked" by the police was a "vivid description of the state of democracy" in the country.

Yap said the arrest was a violation of human rights and was done as an "intimidation" to the opposition parties and ordinary citizens with dissenting voices to the ruling coalition.

"I'm concerned that this (intimidation tactic) would persist even during election campaign," he said. "If that's happened, not only we have an unfair election (as long been pointed out by Bersih) but also that it is no longer free," he said noting that some quarters had pointed out that even though the election was not fair but it is still free. Saadon Aksah/ES

Source: http://englishsection.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=646
 
Hindraf urges ethnic Indians to vote against Badawi’s political grouping



P. S. Suryanarayana




Police cite “security concerns” for banning protest rally






KUALA LUMPUR: The National Coordinator of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), Thanenthiran Ramankutty, on Saturday asked the ethnic Indians in Malaysia to vote against the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, that had “failed” and “insulted” them.

A mid-term general election is due on March 8; and Saturday’s police-aborted campaign was a sequel to Hindraf’s mass protest rally here last November against a half-century of “marginalisation” of the people of Indian origin since independence.

Mr. Thanenthiran, who made a surprise appearance at a temple in the heart of the city where the ethnic Indians had gathered for a protest, later told The Hindu that he was now “on the run” under police surveillance.
He said almost all of Hindraf’s provincial coordinators and national leader such as Manickavasagam and Jayathas were among 300 activists and supporters arrested on Saturday.

Five top Hindraf leaders are already under detention without trial under the Internal Security Act.

The Malaysian police on Friday banned the “roses campaign” by describing as “a security concern” Hindraf’s original plan to deploy nearly 200 children as the star contingent of a “walk” to Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

These children, it was said, were being put in harm’s way in a game of testing the political will of the authorities to maintain law and order.
Another reason cited was Malaysia’s political “norm” of not allowing street protest of any kind, be it by the majority Malay-Muslims or ethnic Chinese or the people of Indian origin.

It was also stated that Hindraf, being a non-registered organisation, was not entitled to any permission for public events, more so of the protest kind.
The police-aborted “walk” to the Parliament House was planned to “test” Mr. Badawi’s attitude towards his ethnic Indian compatriots, according to Hindraf sources.

Yellow roses were selected by Hindraf to be presented to the authorities to convey its demand for a “fair deal” for the ethnic Indians. Red roses signified the colour of choice for “goodwill” towards the Prime Minister, and these were to have been carried by the children. Following the ban, Hindraf, according to its events coordinator Kannan Ramasamy decided against deploying children.

The first scene of street-side political action on Saturday was near the Parliament House. Hindraf said police chased away nearly 200 adult protesters who attempted to break the series of barricades along the routes to Parliament House.

Hindraf supporters raised aloft posters demanding the abolition of the Internal Security Act and the release of the group’s top leaders — P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganapati Rao, M. Manoharan, R. Kengadharan, and T. Vasanthakumar.

“People power [Makkal Sakthi]” slogans and chants in celebration of Hindraf rent the air throughout the standoff.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/17/stories/2008021755451200.htm
 
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
PAS, Samy, Hindu Temple Demolition


I had earlier chronicled the Kampung Rimba Jaya Temple Demolition in my post Deepavali and Bulan Syawal Destruction.

PAS on Temple Demolition
Mujahid Yusof Rawa, Chairman of national unity of PAS had written a letter to Malaysiakini condemning the demolition procedures of the Hindu temple in Kampung Rimba Jaya. In fact, the PAS representative had expressed deep regret over the violent manner the issue was handled.

Surprising isn't it? I mean, this is PAS, the Islamic Party of Malaysia. The temple was of the Hindu religion. It is supposed to be no concern of theirs. Perhaps, PAS is not 100% intolerant as certain parties painted it to be. Kelantan, the state in which PAS reigns, houses Wat Photivihan, biggest reclining Buddha statue in Malaysia. There were rumours circulating that PAS even allowed a Hindu temple to be built in one of their newly obtained constituency. The Hindus were asking for permission from a previous MP of another party for years but to no avail.

Maybe it is high time that people take a deeper look at what PAS has to offer for the people. Put aside some of the negative impression. That is provided that PAS has a complete and clear blueprint on governing the nation for the people to analyse.

Samy on Temple Demolition
In the meantime, Malaysiakini posted another interesting article titled MIC retracts ban on Deepavali events. Earlier, Samy Vellu, the President of the Indian representative party, MIC, with courage not commonly seen, called for a ban on open houses during the upcoming Deepavali celebration.

If Samy Vellu had proceed with such action for the sake of the community he is supposed to represent, in my personal opinion, the Hindu gods must have been compassionate enough to bestow some Light on the greatly marginalised Indian community of Malaysia after witnessing much sadness and grief that they had over the recent event.

And I thought the Hindu gods must have been so understanding that they shone some light on the minds on MIC leaders as well, awakening them so that they will do what they are supposed to do.

Source: http://sagaladoola.blogspot.com/2007/11/pas-samy-hindu-temple-demolition.html
 
17 February 2007


PAS Indian supporters: ‘Bridging earth and moon’

A recent article on Pas Indian Supporters Club in MalaysiaKini.Com
“Tonight, we build a bridge that stretches from earth to the moon!” thundered N Gobalakrishnan at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
Gobalakrishnan is the head of the newly formed PAS Indian supporters club, which was unveiled amid much fanfare and fiery speeches last night.
PAS is an Islamic-based opposition party that has always faced obstacles in winning the support of non-Muslims.
18947.jpg
But Gobalakrishnan, who also heads the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) national integration bureau, believes that a new era has dawned.
In his speech, he said the formation of the Indian supporters club is another bridge between PAS and non-Muslims.
No oppression

He also said the launching of the club signaled the breaking of Barisan Nasional’s (BN) race-based politics and end to the exploitation of the Indian community here.
“PAS can provide us shelter where Umno has failed. PAS (state governments) have never been known to oppress other races,” he said.
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Some 50 Indian Malaysians from Selangor, Perak and Kelantan were among the 600 people who packed the hall.
Their presence was bolstered by a small delegation of non-Muslim Chinese who had come to join as members of the PAS Chinese supporters club which was set up last year.
The club - headed by Hu Pang Chow from Kelantan - is said to have 400 members nationwide. Among them is Ng Chee Pang, the 22-year-old independent candidate who contested in the recent Batu Talam by-election in Pahang.
“PAS steady… PAS party baik (good),” said Ng when met at yesterday’s event.
Unfounded fears

Eearlier, PAS national solidarity bureau chief Mujahid Yusof Rawa during his speech said multi-racialism was enshrined in the party’s constitution when it spoke of the aim to “foster racial unity in the country.”
He said the success of the Chinese supporters’ club in improving awareness about PAS among the community was reflected in the club’s need to increase its Chinese-language monthly bulletin from 5,000 to 50,000 copies.
18945.jpg
PAS will also publish a Tamil-language monthly bulletin to educate the Indian community about the party and its struggles. It is also planning the set-up similar clubs for the Kadazans and Ibans in east Malaysia.
PAS vice-president Mohammad Sabu had the audience in stitches when he spoke derisively of the fears that have been perpetuated by the rivals of PAS to keep non-Muslims from supporting the party.
For example, he said, many Chinese non-Muslims were told that coming under an Islamic party such will lead to the males being forced to undergo circumcision.
“What are they afraid of?” he asked, adding: “Hu (head of the Chinese supporters club) is here to testify that his condition still remains in the original state.”
Meanhwile, businessman Rajandran Batumalai from Batu Caves, Selangor, said he and his friends heard from the Indians in Kelantan about PAS’ equalitarian policies and treatment of non-Muslims.
Rajandran, a former MIC member, said many Indian youths in BN-ruled states were deprived of advancing socially and economically because of racial discrimination.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/63514
 
Non Muslim Kelantan Chinese PAS Supporters Honored

Published by admin at 12:13 am under From Blogger


The recently concluded 53rd Muktamar of PAS @ Islamic Party of Malaysia, held in Kota Bharu , State of Kelantan had a special guest speaker addressing the 1,125 delegates from all over the nation.
The Chairman of the Chinese Community Supporters of PAS Club , Mr. Hu Pang Chaw was given the honor of speaking to the largest gathering of PAS leaders in the heart of the only Opposition run state in Malaysia.
He expressed his gratitude to PAS for giving the club members the platform to engage with the PAS leadership in matters concerning the Chinese community and for working together with them in holding various activities for the Chinese in Kelantan.

PAS through it’s Social Unity Unit has held many events such as taking part in the Moon Cake Festivities, Dinners and Dialogues with the Chinese community in Kelantan.
Picture shows the Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS Spiritual Head, Tuan Guru Dato’ Nik Aziz Nik Mat attending a Chinese New Year celebration event.
Mr.Hu asked PAS leaders to be more proactive in reaching out to the Chinese community throughout the nation as the main media has been portraying a wrong image of PAS to the people all these while and he promised to do more on his part to share the actual situation with PAS to the Chinese in the state and throughout the nation.

Mr.Hu Pang Chaw, an ex journalist with a Chinese daily in Kota Bharu has published a local Chinese newspaper called Re Min Shi Shi which from an initial 5,000 copy print out has now increased to more than 50,000 copies daily distribution.

This goes to show Chinese in Malaysia not to just believe in all the media hype about PAS being an ultra this or that party.
PAS stands for a fair just government that gives everyone their share of progress and mutual prosperity.

The Chinese in Kelantan find doing business there much more easier because there isn’t much of a corruption problem in the state.
From the looks of things, PAS is finding support from the most unexpected sources as the GE looms around the corner.

The BN will naturally go all out to see to it that PAS doesn’t get an easy win with this new growing support coming from the Chinese and Indian Malaysians.

PAS needs to capitalize on this healthy trend by doing more for all Malaysians. Insya Allah.

Source: http://www.mahaguru58.com/2007/06/04/non-muslim-kelantan-chinese-pas-supporters-honored/
 
SirZubair said:
Ayam goreng!

.. or is it Goreng Ayam!

Thats as good as my Malay gets.. :coolious:

You can teach me a few more words when i meet you for lunch in KL next month.. :coolious:
Click to expand...

Ayam Goreng ~ Fried Chicken
Goreng Ayam ~ (act of) frying chicken

But this belongs to the learn Malay language thread. Here we talk about the coming General Election in Malaysia.

Many people especially from the Opposition believes this time of the year may be the turning point where 2/3 majority enjoyed by the ruling coalition for 50 yrs is going to end.
 
I've watched "Analisis Pilihanraya" (Election Analysis) on Astro Awani at 5.30PM just now.... they interviewed a Malaysian Chinese analysist.

She said in her survey made last year, 2/3 of Chinese would vote for opposition... and after Hindraf demonstrations, many Indians would vote for oppositions...

She believes that the Chinese and Indians would swing their votes...

From her analysis, it seems that oppositions would win lots of seats in Penang, Perak, Selangor and KL.
 
Today is the nomination day for the 12th General Election.

BN won 6 parliamentary seats and 2 state seats unopposed.

PAS won 1 state seat unopposed.

Pics of the nomination day:

3.penamaan%20calon3.jpg


5,000 PAS supporters in Marang, Terengganu accompanying President of PAS, Abdul Hadi Awang to the nomination centre (Harakahdaily/24.02.2008)


3.penamaan%20calon6.jpg


Abdul Hadi Awang in the nomination centre. (Harakahdaily/24.02.2008)

calonkedah.gif


PAS supporters accompanying their candidates, including a Non Muslim candidate, B. Kalinavar to the nomination centre in Yan, Kedah. (Harakahdaily/24.02.2008)

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PAS supporters accompanying their candidates in Ampang Jajar, Kedah. (Harakahdaily/24.02.2008)
 
Those who won unopposed:

PARLIAMENTARY SEATS
1) Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN) - MP for Kalabakan, Sabah
2) Azalina Othman (BN) - MP for Pengerang, Johore
3) Aaron Ago Dagang (BN) - MP for Kanowit, Sarawak
4) Norah Rahman (BN) - MP for Tanjung Manis, Sarawak
5) Alexander Nanta Linggi (BN) - MP for Kapit, Sarawak
6) Joseph Entulu Belaun (BN) - MP for Selangau, Sarawak

STATE SEATS
1) Ramlee Marhaban (BN) - Bugaya, Sabah
2) Abdul Rahman Palil (BN) - Sementa, Selangor
3) Wan Ubaidah Omar (PAS) - Kijang, Kelantan

* Wan Ubaidah Omar is the deputy chief of PAS Women Branch...
 

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