Food for thought

This morning a friend of mine came to consult me on certain medical problems. He is a prominent leader among the CHinese community.

Invariably, we talked about the KT be election. I asked his opinion how he would vote if he is a KT voter.

He replied that if he is one of the KT voters, the first thing he would evaluate is whether UMNO has changed since March 8. He asked:

“Is there less racebased rhetorics than before??”

” Is there less corruption or less money politics than before?”

” Is there less abuses than before?”

“Are the people enjoying better life than March 8?”

And for component parties, which are helping the byelection, he said he would evaluate these:

“Is there any real reform undertaken by these parties? Is the perception that these parties are subservient to UMNo still exists? “

He asked me to think about these. He believed that , knowing how the CHinese community thinks, the KT Chinese would be influenced by these questions in how they vote.

I will leave these questions for the KT  voters to answer. Each person may have different answers to these questions, and how the majority answer these questions will decide how the outcome will be….

65 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. CYC
    Jan 14, 2009 @ 16:19:59

    Just want to ask KTK and OTK :

    1. Do they agreed with what najib openly bribe the class F contractors with lucky draw kind of awarding contract?

    2. Do they agreed with hand out to chinese community in cash or kinds only during election ?

    3. State their stand on Islamic State.

    4. Why are they have no ideas of the content of all toll concession agreement while they claim they are equal partners within BN?

    5. Why are there not even a single non malay heading any public university or GLC?

    6. Why are MCA and Gerakan MPs only qualify to helm the usual transport, health …etc ministries, and not finance or education ministries if they are equal partner and practicing meritocracy?

    7. Why must they “fight” for allocation for education fund etc if the system claimed to be fair and just all this while?

    8. Why are MCA or Gerakan MPs subject to disciplinary action by BN whip while Tajuddin of Pasir Salak could escaped irrespective of many wrong doings?

    Lastly, WHY MUST I ALWAYS BE THE 2ND BEST WITHIN BN’s SYSTEM JUST BECAUSE I M BORN AS A CHINESE ? IS THIS ONE OF YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?

    Dr Hsu, hope you could kindly forward the above question to your president. Thank you.

    Like

  2. Justin Choo
    Jan 14, 2009 @ 16:24:12

    Dr Hsu,

    You are a first class politician with a flair of diplomatic touch, to boot.

    Like

  3. Dr Hsu
    Jan 14, 2009 @ 16:50:26

    CYC, certainly will bring up your points in meeting.

    These are all relevant points in achieving a truly fair and equal society… Gerakan’s founding ideology..

    Like

  4. Dr Hsu
    Jan 14, 2009 @ 16:52:30

    Justi,
    I am the courier relaying the message from my friend….

    I am not a politician but a sociopolitical worker who happened to join a political party a few years back, attracted by the ideology of a fair and equal society …..

    🙂

    Like

  5. klm
    Jan 14, 2009 @ 17:49:40

    Dr Hsu. Your friend is a very wise man.

    cheers

    Like

  6. Richard Loh
    Jan 14, 2009 @ 18:02:37

    I am sure they cannot provide any answer for all the above questions. If they cannot do anything for over 51 years, do you think that they suddenly can find themselves in equal footing with umno?

    The only answer that I can think out for them is,
    Please be patient, let us do our work (behind close door), we will always fight for your rights…….

    Like

  7. A true Malaysian
    Jan 14, 2009 @ 18:36:18

    KT voters, vote here before going for a real one on 17 Jan 09.

    http://poll.pollcode.com/ITSg

    Dr. Hsu, your friend rightly pointed out those questions which answers all point to ‘negative’.

    But, to me, your friend was a BN supporter or else he won’t consider those questions before voting if he is a KT voter. That means, if the answers are ‘positive’, your friend will still vote for BN.

    I think, it is not being fair here. Your friend should in fact consider whether PR is a better or more promising party to support first instead of consider those questions before casting his vote. You note the different here?

    By voting PR because answers to those questions are ‘negative’, to me, is not a ‘sincere’ support to PR. This is what I term as ’emotional voting’.

    When come to voting, we should not be emotional, but be ‘rational’. We support PR because its leaders are of much better quality and character than those in BN, particularly, Umno.

    Umno and BN should be made accountable to all Malaysians and face the laws of the land if convicted. Can we just let them go off free from this by voting them out?

    Having said this, I always don’t buy t

    Like

  8. A true Malaysian
    Jan 14, 2009 @ 18:39:14

    Having said this, I always don’t buy the grand old man’s reasoning that we voted PR because we hate BN, not because of we support PR.

    Don’t be influenced by this old man’s twist or playing of words. There should be ‘no qualification’ in supporting PR.

    Like

  9. klm
    Jan 14, 2009 @ 18:41:53

    Did anyone hear about The Star Board meeting recently. It was 6 hours. Big fight between old guards and new guards. Seem old guards had been skimming and living on the fats. So much for MCA leaders. Old guards all resigned in meeting.

    Like

  10. ordell
    Jan 14, 2009 @ 18:51:12

    off topic: i just saw your header image – no idea if it’s new or not, but is that the french bridge at the emperor’s summer palace near bejing? would be nice to see all 7 of them 🙂

    Like

  11. Justin Choo
    Jan 14, 2009 @ 19:14:29

    A True Malaysian,

    ” Neither deny nor confirm!!”

    Like

  12. A true Malaysian
    Jan 14, 2009 @ 19:40:35

    Justin,

    If all vote on ‘rational’ basis, then campaigning can be on ‘what I can offer best’ instead of ‘korek opponent’s smelly hole’ (haha, borrow s ome words here) as what we can see at present.

    We should learn from great democracy like USA when come to voting as what we can see in their presidential elections. Obama elected someone from Republican to work with him in his administration, like what Lim Guan Eng did in appointing Lee Kah Choon. Agree?

    Like

  13. A true Malaysian
    Jan 14, 2009 @ 19:43:53

    Like choosing a wife. I cannot choose my wife on the basis of the other woman is not good right?

    I choose to marry my wife by telling, and look straight to her eyes that because she is the best…haha, you get what I mean, Justin?

    Like

  14. Monk
    Jan 14, 2009 @ 21:17:04

    Kim,

    Interesting to hear from your “tip” on the “Star Wars.” Basically there are many good reporters as well as “boot-lickers” especially during Ling’s tenure as president. There had been “bits and pieces” of rumors flying out once in a while (blue moon) about how certain high flyers within are rewarded with “big mansion”, free trips and even “tanduk-tanduk” and “LLN” titles due to political patronage.

    The “star wars” happening now is inevitable as MCA also had a changing of the guards which just steamrolled Star’s directions. Just like an exploding volcano, the ashes bound to cover some houses 100 miles away.

    Anybody know more details?

    monk

    Like

  15. klm
    Jan 14, 2009 @ 21:53:29

    Heard old guards take 5% of revenue. Bloody pig!
    New guard jumping up and down after finding out the larceny.

    Like

  16. romerz
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 00:17:50

    Dr Hsu,

    If voters vote based only on logic then BN will lose KT. If by emotion then who knows?

    It was for this reason that I was so vocal in my blog against MCA and Gerakan playing on the emotions of the non-Malay voters, knowing that they could actually determine the outcome.

    You should also read Wong Chin Huat’s analysis of the bigger picture in The Nut Graph which more or less confirms my believe that the political landscape is changing, no less spearheaded by our more enlightened Malay brothers/sisters.

    http://www.thenutgraph.com/keeping-BN-afloat

    The irony of it is whilst we complain about all the injustices inflicted on us, we are responsible for keeping the overlords there! Our Malay brothers/sisters are showing us the way but we choose to remain within our comfort zone.

    Please also advice your party leadership that whatever else Malaysians may tolerate, most Malaysians today will not tolerate race-based politics.

    It is demeaning to many Malaysians that we are governed by race-based political parties which by nature inherently creates an atmosphere of conflict.

    Most Malaysians want less conflict and not the other way round.

    Even though your party is multiracial, the party is guilty by association with others who are, rightly or wrongly.

    Like

  17. Observer
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 00:49:49

    Justin

    I’ m always have faith in in doc’s judgement and wisdom. Judge a book by it’s cover, judge a person who walks the talks. No short cut and no easy way out! No intoxication and no apology the next day. Bravo! Hopefuly he won’t prove us wrong, one day?

    Will you Doc?

    You shouldered an heavy responsibility!

    Real gold doesn’t worry worry about the heat. When the going gets tough; the tough goes cracking.

    I owe you nothing and you owe us neither, if you set forth to claim your worth by sticking your neck out.

    Praise be bestowed to you. May your judgement be concise and your conscience be crystal clear

    Like

  18. Dr Hsu
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 01:12:03

    ordell, the bridge is taken in Guilin about 2 years ago…

    Observer, thank you for your kind word. Will also be truthful to our ideology of a fair and equal society…

    MOnk, it is inevitable that “Star War” started because the power struggle in MCA almost always extends to other space.

    They are too good in fighting each other , but if they are half as good to fight for Malaysian Interest, Malaysian would have been a much better place..

    Like

  19. wassup
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 10:07:32

    Look at all the cash and kind that they are willing to pour out when in desperation. I’d say scare them a little bit more by giving KT to PR and we can see real change in near future.

    Like

  20. klm
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 11:05:28

    Dear All.

    The biggest problem facing Malaysia is that a good part of the citizens have some distrust of the govt. This is increasing. The govt dont have the trust, and credibility. This situation cannot go on. The end game of of this trend is always a revolution.

    The French revolution, the cuban revolution etc.

    I know this is heretical thought.

    Like

  21. A true Malaysian
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 11:15:17

    romerz,

    My observation on Chinese Penangites is that some of them still hold dearly with Gerakan, mainly because of they benefited greatly during Gerakan rule. In short, they are still ’emotionally’ attached with Gerakan even though in their concious mind, they know Gerakan is just a mere puppet to Umno.

    So, these Penangites, either still reside in Penang or elsewhere, have to struggle with their hearts and minds, and for those whose hearts overrule their minds, they would find excuses for Gerakan to remain in BN. But, I can quite safely say, the number of this type of Penangite is on decreasing trend, especially those grown up during KTK time.

    I believe, in order for our political landscape to mature, the ‘loyalty’ to a political party should be discarded and emotion should not play a part in it. After all, political party should not be equated with ‘Government’. Any party that is righteous should form ‘Government’ and vote them out if their ‘righteousness’ faded or diminished over time. Simple as that. Rational voting is the way to go, either you are in BN or PR.

    “Love is blind” but don’t let love form a part of your political incline.

    My prediction on KT bye-bye election is PAS win, with a majority of around 5,000 votes.

    Like

  22. CYC
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 12:34:48

    ATM,

    I m not a supporter of BN or KT voter as you guess.

    I m also not an emotional voter.

    I do have ability to rationalize issue and give independent input.

    Any political party who wish to have my vote should first of all resolve my last question then the rest would be easy.

    My political believe is all major changes comes with revolution in mind and action. A fiery and sustainable one, otherwise nothing happen with just ideology printed in party constitution without being understood and practice my majority.

    However, i appreciate your concern and respect your view.

    Like

  23. petestop
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 12:42:00

    CYC,

    Great set of questions to ask MCA and Gerakan.

    They sold us out to play 2nd fiddle in a farce of an “equal” government.

    Just few years ago, both MCA and Gerakan agrees with Dr M that Malaysia is an Islamic State.

    I was aghast to read in an advertisement in Newsweek, on the 50th Merdeka, that clearly states that Malaysia is an Islamic State.
    Advertisment is run by Malaysia govt.

    Therefore, why worry about PAS, when MCA and Gerakan can bring you Islamic State.

    Like

  24. A true Malaysian
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 15:27:32

    CYC,

    Interesting.

    When did I tell you that you are a supporter of BN or KT voter, directly or indirectly?

    I prefer to be referred to as ‘A true Malaysian’. ATM sound like a cash machine to me, people may come to me for cash if I am referred to as ‘ATM’.

    Hahaha, just joking.

    Like

  25. klm
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 16:10:47

    A true Malaysian. I prefer ATM. The long form is too tedious to type. I get finger joint ache. Is this really OK?

    Like

  26. A true Malaysian
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 16:56:42

    Hahaha, your choice.

    No cash one ya, this ATM. I still prefer ‘ A true Malaysian’. After all, what are these few words compared to the full paragraph of your comments?

    Better still, don’t quote ATM next time, hahaha. By the way, how about you CYC? Finger joint ache also?

    Like

  27. petestop
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 18:13:09

    A true Malaysian,

    You reading of Penangites Chinese is absolutely true.

    Now I know where KTK gets the figure, as he said those above 35 appreciates what BN has done, while those below 35 does not.

    Given the fact that KTK becomes CM on 1990.

    Those above 35 would be those who is eligible to vote BEFORE KTK becomes CM (and while Dr Lim Chong Eu is CM).

    While those below 35 would be those who is eligible to vote AFTER KTK becomes CM (and while Dr Lim Chong Eu no longer there).

    Do you see what I am getting at ?

    It means that those below 35 voted Opposition because of the change in leadership from Dr Lim Chong Eu to KTK.

    Indeed, due to his spineless leadership and constant kowtowing to UMNO, Penangites assuredly given Gerakan the boot.

    Dr Lim Chong Eu at least knows how to stand up to UMNO, while running rings around them for the benefits of Penangites.

    Like

  28. A true Malaysian
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 19:19:29

    During Lim Chong Eu time, the PM was easier to deal with, not during KTK time. But, that is not a good excuse why he cannot stand.

    In or out of BN, Gerakan is not relevant anymore. Still, out of BN is a better choice, but to reclaim back its dignity need a long, long time.

    Like

  29. A true Malaysian
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 21:31:43

    petestop,

    Not all Penangite above 35 are appreciates what BN has done. If not, Lim Chong Eu will not be voted out.

    The important lesson Umno and BN need to learn is that government is there forever, but not political party. Political party is not the owner of a government, rakyat is the rightful owners.

    Like

  30. romerz
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 23:27:58

    Dear Observer,

    Thanks for the timely reminder of “No intoxication and no apology the next day”. I needed that since it was only slightly more than 2 weeks ago when I made a resolution not to blog when intoxicated.

    Doc is nothing like that and on this I would stake my last bottle of wine 🙂

    Like

  31. Dr Hsu
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 23:35:05

    romerz,
    I do enjoy an occasional drink with friends. My favourite is of course Campari Soda . A not too strong drink, abit sweet and bitter, just like our lives; sweetness sometimes, bitterness often..

    Like

  32. romerz
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 23:42:51

    A true Malaysian,

    Wow! Your analysis is spot on! Despite my anti-UMNO/BN stance today, I still find it very difficult to attack Gerakan in my blog. Since my blog started I’ve done it once and boy did I feel like shit after that.

    You won’t know what I’m talking about but doc will since I also bcc him the email to KTK to bring his attention to the blog posting and more harsh words which I did not include in the blog posting.

    Politics is a dirty and harsh business! No place for the meek and emotional as I’m starting to learn.

    I still stand by my belief that KTK is an honest man, just gutless and clueless. But honesty alone will not bring about the desired changes this country needs!

    Like

  33. romerz
    Jan 15, 2009 @ 23:47:57

    Dr Hsu,

    I’ve met you twice now but never had the chance to enjoy a casual drink with you without the politics.

    Mostly its because of my free time (the lack of it) but I’m sure before this year is out, I will join you for a Campari soda. (I used to drink that illegally as a student in UK) 🙂

    Chin Chin!

    Like

  34. Rhan
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 08:39:22

    Penangite rejects Gerakan because they can’t stand the arrogance of Penang UMNO. Penangite supports DAP because Anwar Ibrahim is smart enough to announce that CM will be from DAP, meaning to says the CM would be a Chinese lah.

    I wonder what would happen to the below 35 and above 35 if Anwar Ibrahim will to tell Penangite that CM shall be one from PKR and must be a Malay.

    Like

  35. klm
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 09:53:04

    Dear romerz.

    I dont mind KTK being a honest man. At the most he kill himself. But a honest, gutless, clueless leader of a political party in Malaysia, is a very dangerous man. He kill many people and still clueless about it.

    I think Gerakan members should throw him out of office.

    Like

  36. Dr Hsu
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 09:54:30

    As A Peanngite ( or a former one if you go strictly be residential criteria), I find my feeling to Gerakan difficult to describe. that is perhaps the biggest reson why I am still in the party although I have always of the opinion that the biggest problem facing the country is BN’s (or rather UMNO) race based policies.

    When Gerakan won Penang in 1969, I was a teenager, who was not eligible to vote but was deeply influenced by the sentiments of the people then. The sentiment then was pro -Lim Chong Eu and anti-Ong Pau Nie’s , and the 69 results showed that the how the Penang people felt then,

    Gerakan leaders were our heroes then, and LimChong Eu was our idol.

    The feeling was something like whAT Penang people feel after MArch 8.

    So essentially, it is a love-hate feeling. If you love someone, but that someone has , in your opinion, turns bad and does not listen to you, then love often changes to hate…

    But beneath the hate, there is still an ‘undescribe-able’ feeling , and just like a wayward son, we all hope that it can change and become a good son again. I suspect this is the underneath sentiment that is sustaining me inside this party, even though the position I hold is not endearing me to most leaders….

    It would be easier just to walk out and concentrate on this blog .

    DAP is like a second son, and now that the first son is disowned, all the love will be on this second son. Hopefully , this second son would not disappoint and let the Penang people down again, like what Gerakan has.

    Leadership wise, I can say most of the leaders are honest , but some are too UMNO centric and that is because for most of their political lives, they are in partnership wiht UMNo and has never experience life outside BN.

    Like

  37. klm
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 11:09:45

    Dear Dr Hsu. Honesty in a man is not the main thing. It is important for a public office but not the defining thing.

    In my previous comment, coupling honesty with gutless and clueless is even more dangerous. It create paralysis. It create mental blockage. It make the leaders useless.

    The problem with the people in penang is the sentiment for Lim Chong Eu. They used to live in the past. But the last election broke the spell.
    Remember the story about Sleeping Beauty. It is like that.

    Your description of Gerekan is too romantic. The spell that was cast over you had not been broken. Your sentiment for Gerakan come from the images of your childhood. It is time to break the spell.

    My 2 sen worth of psychoanalysis. (And no Freudian theory of sexual suppression included. Could be fun analysing penangite this way) Ha Ha!

    Like

  38. Justin Choo
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 11:20:23

    Dr Hsu,

    I cannot tahan already. I hope you are not drinking too much Campari Soda . Whatever that is I know from you that it is
    ” not too strong drink, abit sweet and bitter, just like our lives; sweetness sometimes, bitterness often..”

    Are you a romantic-poltico writer?

    And your latest post? What about KT last stand today?

    I think I’m sounding like Monsterball!!

    “A true Malaysian” please come to my rescue.

    Have a happy day, Doctor!!

    Like

  39. Justin Choo
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 11:30:27

    Dr Hsu,

    “A true Malaysian” said he is out now.

    He can’t help me right now.

    Perhaps later??

    Like

  40. Justin Choo
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 12:34:04

    By the way, Doctor, my favourite drink is Kahlua with Coke, which I last had more than 20 years ago, if my memory serves me right.

    This drink has a downright aromatic coffee taste all the way…no pretentious.

    Like

  41. Dr Hsu
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 13:06:38

    Justin,
    My stand on the byelection is clear. Read the post above.
    I agree with my friend who asked the above questions

    My answer is negative to all the questions..

    Like

  42. Dr Hsu
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 13:15:56

    klm, I believe you are right to say that politics need more than honesty..

    What is needed is vision, boldness to be different if the existing is not producing results, stand up for principles, and consicence for the people and the country.

    What we have are those political manupulators, whom I describe in my post ” this is how politics are played”…. one of the top posts of all time of this blog which i wrote many months back..

    That is why I am not a politician, and is only an insignificant and smalltime sociopolitical worker….

    Klm,
    you are agreat psychoanlyst, but part of the reason I am still inside is my time frame (around one year) is not up yet…I have to answer to those who elected me to voice out inisde meetings…

    Like

  43. A true Malaysian
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 13:32:01

    Hahaha, I am spot on with my observation on Penangites, now residing or not in Penang. But, to my surprise, Dr. Hsu and romerz fall into this category of above 35 as commented by petestop.

    As I commented earlier, “Love is blind”. That is why we see divorce amongst those “just married”. Why such divorce? It is because they are blinded by love during their courtship. But, divorce of such cases is a good choice or should I say, only option as there is no point to “force” the marriages to be intact and “act like nothing happened”.

    Same thing here, Penangites above 35 are blinded by their love with Gerakan to such an extent that even correct diagnostic are not being applied, out of their so-called love to Gerakan.

    Dr. Hsu, I remember you mentioned that, being a medical doctor, one should not be too emotionally attached with its patient. To me, Gerakan is like your patient, and yet you are so emotionally attached?

    You know the root cause and yet…….Justin is the only Penangite in this forum that doesn’t fall in love with Gerakan.

    Like

  44. klm
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 13:36:33

    Hey Dr. Hsu. You started this psychoanalysis first. I just carry on. But I still think a Freudian analysis on Penangite is interesting. Wonder what kind of childhood suppressions can we find?

    Like

  45. Dr Hsu
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 14:13:29

    Penanites are very parochial… But after someyears in KL,I think I have been influenced by Ipohites, Malaccan, or JOhoreans etc… Penang Rojak now… 🙂

    Like

  46. Justin Choo
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 14:35:36

    Dr Hsu,

    Maybe klm is a psychiatrist. I volunteer myself to be the subject. As you know I am Still a Penangite, over 35. But be forewarned, as A true Malaysian pointed out, I’m the odd ball who had long ago rejected Gerakan since day one when Gerakan betrayed Penangite by being a founding member of BN.

    Come to think of it, I won’t be a suitable specimen.

    Like

  47. A true Malaysian
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 15:42:32

    Justin,

    You are right here when you commented “Gerakan betrayed Penangite by being a founding member of BN.”

    I made my view on this some time back in this forum. I tend to compare Penang with Singapore. They ‘were’ more or less same, like Chinese was the majority, no natural resources (Penang has some, in mainland) and a free sea-port. What was the different then? Singapore has Lee Kuan Yew, Penang has Lim Chong Eu, that’s the different.

    The similarity of LKY and LCE is the both are in favour for Malaysian Malaysia, i.e. favour multiracial but LKY has the wisdom that LCE couldn’t match. LCE made the greatest mistake to join BN, the rest was history then.

    Yet, Penangites are finding excuses for LCE’s mistake, as they regard him as the ‘idol’. I could tell you, deep in his heart, LCE would admit this greatest mistake of his, yet, out of his ‘love’ for Umno, he would deny.

    But, having said this, LCE can stand up against Umno whilst KTK dare not. As romerz commented, KTK is an honest man, but what is the use? He can’t even match with a local Umno warlord.

    So, Penangites other than Justin Choo, put aside your emotion if you still love your love one. That is the only way as I can see it. You do this, in fact, not for yourselves, but for the rest of Malaysian. If not, we will be back to square one, the ‘love-hate’ relationship.

    Like

  48. Nick
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 16:00:15

    One of my colleague’s wife has just started a job as a teacher in a chinese secondary school in Seremban. She says that the school is so poor and in need of more funding. Chairs are falling off and tables are decrepit. Anyway, I told my colleague to ask her to pray for a by-election because only then will this stupid greedy government wake up. Just take a look at how much they are dispensing money to the chinese schools in KT.

    Like

  49. klm
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 16:29:15

    On political manipulators, have heard the story about Gerakan Party Adviser. He has a party trick.

    He bugs (put listening device in) his board room. After the preliminary, he would excuse himself to go to the washroom. Then he would listen to the private conversation of the people remaining in his board room. Friends told me they would just talk about the weather.

    Now, that is Gerakan’s master manipulator

    Like

  50. Dr Hsu
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 16:44:01

    A True Malaysian,
    Why Gerakan joined BN must be viewed in historic perspective.

    After May 13, the country was in shabbles. Racial relations were bad… And any time, a small event would have led to more blodshed.. The whole situation was quite fluid.

    And Penang, being a State, and having lost its ‘free’ port status, was economically unable to sustain itself if there were no development, unlike today when the State is so industrialised.

    The Malays were definitely much much poorer then.

    It was in this context that Lim agreed to have less politicking so that the country could concentrate on development…

    Even the NEP, which was the idea developed from the Natinal consultative council, was a policy that was aimed to eradicate poverty regardless of race. It was a socialist policy to help uplift the poorer section of the population, a restructuring that would have enabled the poor to catch up with the richer counterparts.

    It was also destined to end in 1990.

    It was mainly in Dr M ‘t ime that the policy was hijacked to become a tool to enrich certain cronies.

    By 1980, LCE was no more president of Gerakan, although he was still the CM until 1990.

    In private conversations, he had told confidants that he would have withdrawn from BN had the skewed NEP be continued from 1990 onwards. But by then, he was ousted by none other than LIM Kit Siang in1990, so it became academic whether he would have influenced the gerakan ‘s leadership under Lim KY to withdraw from BN had he continued as CM of Penang in 1990…

    And in Malaysian politics, once you are no more the president, you have lost your clout… Like MM has found out.

    But during his tenure as CM from 1969 to 1990, he established the Industrial zones (free trade zones) , built KOmtar , BUilt the 2nd Bridge (or more correctly lobbied the Federal Govt), and by all accounts, Penang at 1990 was the richest and most industrialised state in Malaysia.

    He has traded to shelf our party ideology for a short term in order to help heal the wounds of May 13 as well as bring development to Penang.

    And being from opposition before, I think it would not be difficult for him to pull Gerakan out in 1990 to become opposition again , had he remained as president after 1980…But for those who came in later, their whole political lives started with BN and they have not known first hand what it is like to be in opposition.

    Anyway, LCE won Penang with only 300 cadres…Many of them are still alive and remains as Gerakan grassroots members, and many of them are fiercely inde[endent minded and would be glad to see Gerakan out of BN.

    Like

  51. A true Malaysian
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 16:45:16

    Nick,

    I can’t imagine if Umno win in tomorrow KT By-Buy-Bye-Bye election (Justin, borrow your quote here).

    http://blackandwhite999.blogspot.com/2009/01/by-buy-bye-bye-election_152.html

    But I believe KT voters are not blind as they are not in love with Gerakan, definitely not with Umno, MCA or MIC.

    To KT voters,

    “孩子,若你希望改变我们唯一的家园,为了你的孩子我的孙子,17号你一定要回来,投民联(回教党)候选人一票,一起期待更美好未来。改变,才有希望!”

    “Children, if you desire for change, for our only homeland and for the sake of your children, my grandchildren, please come back to KT by 17 Jan 09, and vote for PR-PAS candidate. Only then we can have brighter future. There will be hope when we decided to change for the better”

    My prediction, PR-PAS won, by around 6,000 majority (revised from 5,000 yesterday).

    Like

  52. A true Malaysian
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 17:46:52

    Dr. Hsu,

    Our good friend, Justin, should be about the same age group with you and yet both of you are not of the same thought on Gerakan, especially on the point of Gerakan decided to join BN. To Justin, it was a betrayal (I also think likewise) but to you, circumstances at the point of time, forced Gerakan or rather LCE join BN. Can Justin do a reconciliation to this?

    Dr. Hsu, when was Penang lost its ‘free port’ status? I believe it was after joining BN. Correct me if I am wrong. What is the reason for the lost? To me, if Gerakan choose not to join BN, its ‘free port’ status will help to bring in revenue to the state and Penang will not be so relied on Federal allocation. Further, attention of Federal Govt was shifted to Port Klang and Penang Port lost its competitiveness.

    As a result, reliance on Federal fund was even greater and Gerakan lost its political power. This power was further splitted when MCA was allocated state and parliamentary seats in the name of fair partnership. Was this fair in the first place?

    I tend to believe if LCE choose not to join BN, the situation of Penang now will be even better than its status now, maybe on par with that of Singapore. It is a general knowledge that many Penangites migrated to Singapore and holding important positions in government and also in private sector. Apparently, these former Penangites did not fall in love with Gerakan then. If not, why migrated. Maybe these former Penangites would like to give their views over here.

    But, no matter what, decision to join BN is debatable and become academic now. It is no point crying over split milk but put emotion aside. Ask yourselves frankly, is Gerakan worth my love? Many Penangites would say ‘not worth it’, if not, PR will not governing Penang now. I would say, above 35 Penangites are of minority now.

    Like

  53. A true Malaysian
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 18:09:29

    Rhan,

    Your comments still smell ‘racist’. Kalah, kalahlah, don’t find a scapegoat in Umno.

    Umno is arrogant and yet you still want to kowtow to them, then? Who to be blamed but yourselves.

    Whoever have the ability, be the CM. That is criteria we should look at, not Chinese, Malay, Indian, Kadazan, Iban, Mat Salleh or whatever.

    Like

  54. Rhan
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 19:14:36

    A true Malaysian,

    My comment doesn’t smell racist, I am realistic.

    By the way, If LKY had the wisdom, he will not only be one emperor on a small dot. And don’t you think he and Mahathir is one of the major culprits that cause the strong suspicious of Malay towards Chinese? Otherwise, your multiracial dream should have been realised long time ago. LCE is anytime better.

    Like

  55. A true Malaysian
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 20:58:38

    Rhan,

    This is how hard core BN supporter look at things. How sad. KT battle will prove you guys mentality is outdated. Let see how.

    Yes, my multiracial dream will never be realised under BN.

    Let the world community look at LKY, MM and LCE. They are the best judge for that, not you and me. You and my judgement on them is personal, not important.

    Like

  56. Justin Choo
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 22:40:34

    A true Malaysian,
    My thoughts and views are similar to yours. So need not repeat.

    Just one statement. LCE lost because he stood under BN. Period. Full stop.

    Like

  57. A true Malaysian
    Jan 16, 2009 @ 22:56:09

    Justin,

    Bravo, I like your style, short, precise, straight to the point.

    Like

  58. Dr Hsu
    Jan 17, 2009 @ 00:05:11

    A True Malaysian, Penang lost its free port status in the sixties.. before May 13. That was one of the reasons why people in Penang were dead against Ong Pau Nee….

    The economy in 69 was not good in Penang. May people were out of work…

    If May 13 ahd not happened, Gerakan would be in the opposition still. The split in Gerakan in 1971 was due to the fact that there was a by election in Kedah. LCE at that time, because of his cooperation with UMNO then, decided to support BN candidate, whereas people like Tan Chee Khoon & Syed Alatas were against it even though they agreed that in Penang, there should be cooperation between UMNO and Gerakan to ensure development for Penang people.

    Like

  59. petestop
    Jan 17, 2009 @ 01:53:39

    In a way, I believe, visionaries like Tan Chee Khoon and Syed Alatas have but forseen the demise of Gerakan when they decided to suspend their own ideology.

    Till today, Gerakan’s ideology is still considered suspended as long as they remains in the BN continuing racial politics.

    In this sense, I would’nt say that KTK as the President of Gerakan is an honest man, because he is not honest to his own ideology and principles.

    The promise made by KTK is rather infamous, that he will change BN from within, as evident to all Penangites, he was changed the moment he stepped in.

    Like

  60. Dr Hsu
    Jan 17, 2009 @ 07:56:02

    That is why I have been telling party leaders and memebrs that we need to be out of BN to go back to our ideology…

    It is not possible to advocate a fair andequal society when the component parties especially UMNO are harping on race.

    Indonesia is doing much better than Malaysia in race relations now, because there is no differential treatment to the various races.

    For the sake of the future of the country, there must not be policies along racial lines anymore….

    Like

  61. Trackback: D Day in KT byelection « Dr Hsu’s Forum
  62. A true Malaysian
    Jan 17, 2009 @ 13:10:05

    Dr. Hsu,

    Whatever it is, those things are history. At lesast LCE, was able to stand up for Penangites rights and develop Penang, but I am not agreeable to him to join BN, whose ideology is to divide the economic cake according to racial composition.

    This ideology of BN is in itself, against Gerakan multiracial ideology. Justin is correct to say that Gerakan betrayed Penangites where upon wining GE as opposition, LCE chose to join BN though people like Tan Chee Koon and Ali Alatas were not in favour of this.

    Nevertheless, as I said, this is academic now and Gerakan should fall back on what Tan Chee Koon and Ali Alatas desired. This is also your aim for choosing to remain in Gerakan and I hope you succeed in your endeavour.

    KTK should do something to redeem his pride, his dignity. Perception of being honest is not enough without real action.

    Like

  63. Justin Choo
    Jan 17, 2009 @ 15:07:45

    KTK honest politician?????????????????????????

    Like

  64. A true Malaysian
    Jan 17, 2009 @ 15:38:54

    We must redefine what is ‘Politician’ then.

    First and foremost criteria, must be RIGHTEOUS.

    Like

  65. itdas
    Jan 17, 2009 @ 21:31:59

    Latest, PAS won by 2600 votes majority.

    Like

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