Today is the KT by election. By the time I posted this post, voting has already started.
I hope the election will be conducted in a fair and just manner and most important ly peacefully.
I also hope that the voters will think very carefully before casting their votes.
They are not only voting for their constituency, but their votes have a bigger meaning, which is keenly watched by political observers and politicians of both sides.
There should be no cheating or vote buying too. I always tell people that if anyone offer any money for vote, just pocket the money and vote the other side, because by offering money, they have proven to be unworthy of our votes.
I have in an earlier post a few days ago quoted one of my friends’ questions to KT voters. I ask them to think of these questions carefully before casting their votes.
For the questions, please go to the post “food for thought” or click here.
I also hope that all will accept whatever result gracefully, for this is democracy at work, and we must abide by the majority decision.
Dr. Hsu's forum 
Jan 17, 2009 @ 11:31:07
Go green, save the planet!!
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 11:50:13
I hope those who decided not to vote will reconsider their decision. Do not make it any easier for cheating to occur by leaving unused ballots in the hands of the EC.
Even if you have no desire to choose either side, go spoil the ballot so that ‘phantoms’ may not use it on your behalf.
Ditto Justin “GO GREEN”!
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 12:51:57
Phantom voters, if you are one of them, vote with your conscience, vote for PR-PAS. Go green, save Malaysia, save planet earth, make Malaysia into a heaven.
By the way, Ong Kian Meng predicted PR-PAS won by 7,000 majority votes, while mine is 6,000. Let’s see who got it right.
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 13:49:21
Bloggers have captured trailers with “Penerangan” (dept of Information) parking at KT near a BN VIP venue where a function was held. The trailers were plastered with paper (hiding the dept’s name).
Media centre money distributed. Information ministry denied involvement.
By the way, who is the Information minister?
1=1=2
monk
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 15:00:27
Go Anil’s blog to see the revelation.
http://anilnetto.com/democracy/bns-last-big-ceramah/
Dr Hsu,
Come Monday, the Education Minister can then announce the decision on teachings maths and science in whatever language.
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 15:32:20
Dr.Hsu,
This is a very big statement:
There should be no cheating or vote buying too. I always tell people that if anyone offer any money for vote, just pocket the money and vote the other side, because by offering money, they have proven to be unworthy of our votes.
Do you consider the huge development funds which always suddenly appears at all by elections as cheating or vote buying?
I am not so worry about phantom voters but are more concern with the questionable postal votes.
You ended with this:
I also hope that all will accept whatever result gracefully, for this is democracy at work, and we must abide by the majority decision.
Democracy at work, yes, but at a very uneven playing field.
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 16:17:19
Richard Loh
That is not direct vot buying but a form of political bribery, which is also wrong…
I ahve voiced out in Gerakan meetings and this blog before that development funds must be given equally to all districts irrespective of whether such districts are controlled by government MPs or opposition MPs.
IN fact, peruntukan for MPs should be given not only to BN MPs but also to oppostion MPs. BUt they say I already “chou fou yap mou” (cantonese) meaning ‘gonna case’…
And of course I have been vocal in asking for parliamantary constituency delineation to be done fairly so that the biggest and the smallest constituencies should have only maximum 15% difference in number of voters, like what it was during the Merdeka years.
Dr M changed the rule, if I am not wrong…
There is no perfect democracy, but at least we should make the field as level as possible for everyone…
But that is the view of a person considered to be “”‘…”chou fou yap mou’ …hahaha.
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 16:45:22
Thanks Dr. Hsu for your sincere and straight forward answer.
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 20:38:18
截至晚上八时正，瓜拉登嘉楼国会议席补选已开出的票箱中，国阵（巫统）候选人旺阿末法立暂时以196张多数票领先回教党候选人阿都瓦希；不过，国阵消息来源却说，国阵已经输掉了这场补选。
http://merdekareview.com/news.php?n=8598
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 22:02:52
The world must be crazy
================
Never in my life, do I expect to see the Chinese rooting for PAS to win in an election. There is always a first time for everything. PAS won by 2,631 votes. bye to UMNO and BN. There must be enough votes from the Chinese going to PAS to win with this majority.
The votes will be analyzed to death in the coming weeks.
This is a crazy world. The Chinese disliked hudud and other rules that intrude into their culture. Swallowing their dislikes, many Chinese threw their support and cheer PAS on during the campaign.
Is this the harbinger of the new order of things to come? I would like to believe this.
Looks like Corruption, discrimination, wastage, and all the ills we see in BN is more hated than the hudud. It appear that the BN sickness is more imminent and need to be addressed sooner. The issue of hudud can be postponed to the future. Looks like the Chinese hate BN more than they hate hudud.
What is the writing on the wall for Gerakan and MCA, especially Gerakan (since this is essentially a blog associated with Gerakan).
1. Any party linked to UMNO is poison
2. Multiracialism is no longer a Gerakan byword
This win by PAS show that Gerakan is officially useless and not relevant. so if KaTaK need anymore proof, this is it. There is no more chance for BN to show it has changed.
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 22:11:59
klm,
You can see more excuses from Umno and its machai to justify their defeats. This is their mentality, ostrich mentality. Just see.
I personally prefer PAS than Umno. If we don’t break laws, whatever punishment won’t affect us. PAS is not so unreasonable one.
I respect people like Nik Aziz. He is a simple guy and up to now
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 22:15:17
I respect people like Nik Aziz. He is a simple guy and up to now, he still stay put at his own simple house instead of official residence.
Pakatan Rakyat is getting more matured in their partnership. This is good for Malaysia.
CONGRATULATIONS, Pakatan Rakyat.
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 22:35:39
This is what Najib said about the lost…lol…
At a press conference tonight, Prime Minister-in-waiting Najib said that the defeat in Kuala Terengganu should not be interpreted as the voters having spurned Barisan Nasional.
He denied that the poll was a vote of no confidence on his leadership.
While Najib conceded that this was a setback for the ruling coalition, he nevertheless played down the importance of the by-election.
“We accept this defeat. This is the decision of the people. In a democratic system, the people’s voice is supreme,” he said.
“I am confident that in the end the people will be confident of BN,” he added.
source:malaysiakini
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 22:41:22
A true Malaysian. You are right on target. Now wait for KaTaK’s statement.
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 22:48:53
Postal vote, to me, is very unfair. These votes were voted in fear.
The winning margin should have been greater, not just 2,631.
Further, Chinese Malaysian should be more ‘revolutionary’ and should not be easily influenced by the fear factors. Low turnout by KT Chinese voters is a let down to me.
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 23:05:30
The MCA Spin
===========
MCA president Ong Tee Keat meanwhile said that although BN was defeated in the by-election, the vote from the Chinese community however had increased compared with the March general election.
“Despite the unfavourable results, I would like to thank the Chinese voters for staying with MCA during this difficult time,” he said in a statement.
“The outcome strengthens our courage to change and accept that what we strive for the nation may not totally reflect what the people want.
“There are differences as well as common grounds. We must learn and appreciate better these differences for us to shape a better tomorrow,” he added.
——————————————————
OTaK is telling UMNO that it did its job by increasing Chinese votes. Blame Blame Blame.
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 23:10:30
This attitude of Chinese Malaysian voters has enable MCA and Gerakan to find excuses for them to remain in BN. Just look at their comments below :-
“MCA president Datuk Ong Tee Keat claimed that Chinese support had actually increased compared with the last general election.
“I would like to thank the Chinese voters for staying with MCA during this difficult times,” he wrote on his blog after the results were announced.
“In fact, I was told that Chinese support for BN had actually increased compared with the last general election. We in MCA would not take this trust lightly. I would like to thank the hardworking BN campaigners, especially MCA members, for their tireless efforts despite the unfavourable results.”
So, are Chinese Malaysian a ‘hindrance’ to a revolution that Malaysia need? A big yes, at least to me.
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 23:18:01
A response to OKT’s comment which is sound like an ultimatum to OTK appears in the Malaysian Insider;
written by OmegaMan, January 17, 2009
OTK, are you again talking to yourself? Who in Malaysia are you trying to convince that KT Chinese voters were behind MCA and BN? The Chinese people had just about enough of MCA and the likes of you and this is a clear sign of rejection. The new generation of voters are colour blind and all that they desire are elected representatives like PR who will boldly speak out for them on issues that are close to their hearts and the politicans that they detest most are the yes-man politicians. So run along and do your trumpeting elsewhere.
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 23:46:52
I was out for a dinner, but I have expected PAS to win..
The Green has prevailed and this is the verdict by the people.
UMNO has no one to blame but itself. Has it changed a wee bit? Not at all.. The same race rhetoric is there. Corruption has not got better. Abuses are still there… Even IJN they wanted to grab… that is too much..
Component parties have not learned anything and no reform even with new teams selected. Worse, MCA has got itself into feuding factions again, like before… Gerakan has not been able to stand up to UMNO ….
Whatever project BN proposes, there is always private interest involved, at least that is the perception of the people…
I have asked these questions a few days ago.. And apparently KT voters have answered these questions with a resounding no….
Let this be a lesson to UMNO and BN… They have to really reform , change its racial rhetoric. Malaysians do not want race based politics and bad governance anymore… The message is clear and if they do not wake up to this, they will be thrown out … there is no doubt about it..
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 23:51:49
And for Gerakan, the leaders must realise that there is only one way for them. Pull out of BN and try to survive on its own, no matter how difficult it is.
It is better for the party to be annihilated outside, fighting for its ideology , then remains inside and betrays its ideology. Anyway, I always think that there is still life outside as an independnet, and 2 or 3 GE down the road, if the party remains truthful to its ideology, it can slowly gain back the trust it has so dearly lost…
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Jan 17, 2009 @ 23:55:00
OTK is talking utter rubbish.
Bandar polling station which is 80% Chinese gave PAS a 190 majority tonight and remember that this is an MCA stronghold which has traditionally given their votes to BN.
Not only that of the 8,000+ Chinese voters in KT, 3,000+ of them work and live out of KT. Many could not return to vote because they had already taken long leave for the CNY.
If the EC did not set the by-election 1 week before CNY, and had it been set during the school holidays, PAS would have won by a bigger majority.
Dr Hsu,
Gerakan is in serious trouble of disappearing completely. We have discussed this before and we both know that it can only survive on UMNO’s ‘strength’. Do you think UMNO can save your party when it is having problems of itself?
This loss in the Malay heartland tells me that Gerakan’s last straw for survival is no longer possible. Please tell that to KTK, I don’t want to email or SMS him anymore since I will only get worked up and it spoils my night’s sleep (or drive me to drink more).
Tell him that Gerakan’s demise is inevitable. Better he lead the party out of BN now and do something for Malaysia than die a timid death.
Leaving BN now will also not save Gerakan but at least the party will be remembered for going down by doing the right thing!
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 00:00:01
Dr Hsu,
Sorry for my post of 11.55pm. I hadn’t read your post of 11.51pm when I clicked the ‘submit’ button.
I’m glad you see it the same way I do but seeing is one thing. What can we do about it? its all a numbers game and a psychological battle as well. Gerakan still has bullets to use but its wasting them thinking of its own survival rather than the bigger picture of a better Malaysia.
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 00:10:42
Hah!. Do you think KaTaK will do anything?
Gerakan has no place to hide its face. It members have no more honour and pride. How can they walk with their heads held high?
People will point fingers and laugh at them.
All he will say is “we will change BN from inside”
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 00:22:48
It is a win for Pas, not multiracial. You can still call it a win of multiracial, as long as you are willing to less out the Chinese.
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 09:13:17
Rhan,
You are one of the Chinese Malaysian I was talking about.
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 10:17:38
AtM,
Malay don’t think of you as a true Malaysian. Obama is proud to be African American and most of us are proud to be Chinese Malaysian. If you are ashame of your heritage, sue your ancestor!
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 10:41:18
Looks like smooth sailing for Pakatan in any forth coming election.
Have the Chinese woke up, awaken you would say but the dog MCA will try hard to put them to sleep again in their next strategy. Playing or manipulating on development and operating fund through the local MCA leaders would regain their loyalty.???
Another, any application for licenses, permit etc the civil servants would tell them to obtain the local MCA leaders signatures before it is approved. This is the problem the Chinese in KT will have to endure. They the shopkeepers etc will have to play smart.
Be good and loyal but do not vote for them!!!
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 10:56:26
kicking balls,
You are wrong. You are another Rhan. Wake up lah. Go read the “DAP to field more Malays in next general election”. Just read the comments, they are mainly true Malay Malaysians.
You are out-of-date, kicking balls.
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 10:56:44
This is the Internet age. No longer do you need to live in fear of the government. Political bloggers can spread the news of any political discrimination.
Any discrimination by MCA will spread like willd fire and cause them to loose support all over the country. BN do not control the news media anymore, only the mainstream media
The Blogs in Malaysia are the Fourth Estate. The conscience of society.
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 10:57:14
klm,
“A true Malaysian. You are right on target. Now wait for KaTaK’s statement.”
This is to inform that Katak is hibernating in Siberia being Winter. It shall make its first “croak” come Spring in Timbuktu.
To all,
Want to strike 4D? Buy 2631. Sure strike, guarantee. Don’t believe? Please go to my blog for a detailed and intellectual analysis.
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 11:00:17
Justin. I have never bought 4D before and dont know how to buy one.
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 11:11:52
kicking balls,
If you cannot find the article, go kick your own ball, if you have any and thereafter, read this link.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/16181-dap-to-field-more-malays-in-next-general-election
and a comment by a true Malay Malaysian as reproduced below:-
written by zik, January 17, 2009
GOOD SHOW!!WE ARE IN LIVING IN A NEW MALAYSIA INDEED..AND THANKS GOD FOR THAT!!.
FROM A MALAY GUY!
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 11:45:39
My 2 sens worth on the KT election result.
============================
1. As observed by Anil Netto, the swing to PAS was by the young voters. This is a continuing trend of the march 2008 GE.
The older generation had been intimidated too long by BN. In the Chinese community, MCA had been playing the license trump card for far too long. It worked with the cari makan attitude of the older chinese generation. The no vote MCA no license threat don’t work with the younger generation.
It seem it is the same with the Malay community.
2. The young generation, whether Chinese or Malay have different aspiration. different from the perception of the BN leaderships, UMNO, MCA. Gerakan and even worse MIC.
50 years of power have calcified its thinking. It is suffering from irreversible dementia and Alzheimer.
3. What is refreshing in the KT campaign was that :
a. BN talked of development and contracts. They handed out money and angpows. This was standard modus operandi of BN for many decades.
b. PR (PAS, DAP and PKR) talked aspiration, change and hope for the future. This was the only thing they could offer. But it struck a cord in the young generation.
Like we had seen in the last American election, the young voters made the difference. The world was theirs now. They can change it. and they did.
This is a clear sign of generational change. We, the older generation can only cheer them on.
3. Finally, the relevance of current institution. I quote Tengku Razaleigh:
“Money, machinery and incumbency could not trump the call for change. BN will lose, and will in the end lose everything, until we respond fully and sincerely…
“Actually this was more than a referendum on the leadership. It was a test of the relevance of UMNO in its present form. If UMNO is no longer relevant to the Malays, the BN formula is dead.”
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 11:49:23
One win and maybe two more by-elections on the way. One possibly in Sabah and another state by-election in Sarawak.
The show goes on and not forgetting in 1988, (correct me me if I am wrong) I think there were 7 by-elections within that year.
But whatever, more by-elections on the way to confirm the slow death of the “U Must Not Object” and its irrelevance.
And the sinking ships of MCA and Gerakan. By the next elections, they had better brace for the second political tsunami as the Pakatan strives to be stronger (or end up weaker) in the process.
monk
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 12:04:31
This is what I mean by calcified thinking. I quote Koh Tsu Koon.
He never mentioned BN change to meet aspiration of the youth. Instead he said, Gerakan will meet the youth and explain govt positions. I take it to mean dont change govt policies, change the youth.
He is really no hope. If any Gerakan member think they can get anywhere riding on his coattail.
You are more stupid than I think.
============Koh Tsu Koon==========
The Ba-risan Nasional should give more attention to young Chinese voters to ensure they support its candidate in the Kuala Terengganu by-election, said Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
He said this group of voters was inclined to support the opposition compared with mature voters aged 35 and above who could better evaluate the services and contributions of the BN government to improve their lives.
Koh said the mature group’s feeling of gratitude might not be shared by the younger voters.
Koh said BN must therefore work doubly hard to get close to this young group and hear their voices and aspirations.
He said Gerakan planned to meet Chinese youth to explain government policies and hear their grouses.
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 12:38:19
Don’t waste your time lah, KTK.
Over 35 group also don’t support you lah. Look and Dr. Hsu, Justin, Romerz ….. They don’t support you. So?
I think your children should be below 35 group. Even they don’t support you? So?
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 12:57:32
Time for a wake up call. What really went wrong with the BN machinery? What direction are we heading? Is it the wrong choice of candidate? BN have to do their post mortem for the next coming election. Is PR really carried proper caring programmes for the rakyat? Are they no excess that don’t exist in PR government?
BN needed to have more multi racial approach, cutting down abuses and more proactive programmes to gain back the lost ground. Anti sentiment is still fresh in their memories. Move on
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 13:03:15
As Doc Hsu mention, it would makes more sense for Gerakan to get out of BN and go back to its roots.
Remember the young are much smarter nowadays with access to information that we would not think of decades ago.
Anyway, judging from the millions poured into both Permatang Pauh and Kuala Terengganu by BN, and they still lose.
It got to say something how things will go if a GE is to be called when Najib takes over as PM.
My guess is, they will delay the GE as long as possible, instead of seeking a new mandate.
Anyway, both KTK and OTK are lost cause.
No point giving them any feedback, since they fail to see the obvious signs, with their own eyes.
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 13:27:08
Read this comment by ‘Honest view’ in The Malaysian Insider,
Najib should not accept the PM post in March 2009
written by Honest view, January 18, 2009
With this defeat, Najib should not accept the PM post from Pak Lah. Pak Lah should in fact call for a snap election, let Najib lead the general election.
If Najib succeed in leading BN to form Federal Government, only then he can be PM, if not, better qualified candidate take over, Anwar, Kit Siang, Hadi, Guan Eng, whoever. So long he or she is qualified.
At this moment, Najib definitely not qualified at all.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/16234-malaysias-opposition-hails-by-election-victory-
___________
My view is the same as this ‘Honest view’.
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 22:02:59
The escort of ballot boxes were carried out under the watchful eyes of PAS boys. Surprisingly no also tried to bring in extra filled boxes into the counting center. PAS security worked well.
Well Dr Hsu I am sure you know what I mean..how extra voting slips were added in previously. Hope you be honest and tell us more which we may not know.
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 22:20:14
Meng,
I find it strange. Ceramah at Restoran Ocean was so successful. Donation collection also overwhelmingly good and yet Chinese turnout and votes were low.
Something strange must be happened. Anyone from can explain this, especially KT Chinese?
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Jan 18, 2009 @ 23:05:59
True Malaysian
See my posting on manipulation of funding, licenses and permit above. This I believed was the work of MCA. They were caught in between. Just imagine on renewal of licenses, delayed for a month, if they open for business ..harassment from bandaraya, fines etc.
Someone also commented that the younger generation may not succumb to such threats but if your licenses and permits are not approved.. what then.. your business at stake.
No matter what these businessman will have to approach MCA cause MCA members are represented in the district security and development committee. Bandaraya will be directed as to who and whose to approve. MCA still has the trump card to a certain exyent.
Give you an example: why overloaded lorries at certain times are not stopped by JPJ or the police.
When these lorries are often stopped by either the police or jpj, complain are brought up in these meetings on the arguement that if the lorries are delayed esp those ferrying food, the prices in that certain district will go up because of shortages. Decision: no stopping of lorries for certain period.
Same to eating shops, licenses delayed and complain where are the offfice workers and others are to eat. The committee decision: ask them to see the MCA rep for signature prior to approval. This will indicate to the chinese that MCA has the authority to get things done!!!
See how the game is played. Many more lah
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Jan 19, 2009 @ 08:23:07
Meng,
Thanks for the explanation. The question is, are Chinese voters (which in this case KT Chinese voters) going to succumb to such abuses of power for their whole life? Such attitude of Chinese is also contributing to such abuses and corruption getting from bad to worst.
Chinese Malaysian should stand up against these practices and be revolutionist in exercising their voting rights.
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Jan 19, 2009 @ 09:30:40
Wow. MCA is such big gangster anf bully. No wonder it always join force with the underworld. In fact many MCA local leaders are the local underworld taiko.
I have heard the police know this. But their hands were tied. I have heard Chua Soi Lek was the underworld candidate.
So we are not far away from Zimbawe and Mugabe.
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Jan 19, 2009 @ 09:50:59
This was the phrase I wanted to use to describe MCA. Institutionalized gangster.
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Jan 19, 2009 @ 12:05:39
True Malaysian
“”question is, are Chinese voters (which in this case KT Chinese voters) going to succumb to such abuses of power for their whole life?””
Yes and No depending on the winds of change. In my reading of the chinese attitude, there are some element of fear particularly the younger ones going out to start their businesses even as hawkers. Their fear is/are I vote for opposition but what if the present status quo remains, how am I going to earn a living. Their only hope are in the General Elections where a complete change of government takes place just like in Kelantan where they are not subjected to such abuses.Till then we can expect the chinese to remain in the MCA’s grip in BN held states.
You can expect MCA will make a move for the chinese in KT to obtain their land grant ie conversation to freehold/lease and this will be only promised in the next GE. Even converting the land to a 99 year lease will be able to strengthen the grip on the chinese. Some states under Bn have done so and chinese loyalty remains in their hands.
Even that MCA has had tried hard to influence the chinese in kelantan, working through the parallel government agencies as far as fund and development are concerned, to develop areas held by umno, But it did not work. Licenses and permit are state controlled.
The chinese in KT are smart, and they know the split in the malays and their contributions are to strengthen the pakatan’s effort to obtain and strengthen that split. It works well… under the watchful eyes of the police SB. The various areas of chinatown are partition for surveillance and in each partition there is/are a SB rep observing and reporting and thats why MCA is confidence to mention that the chinese are still backing them.
MCA also doing their dirty woks in the Pakatan held states through the parallel government agencies and in particular in the State and District Security and development Committee.
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Jan 19, 2009 @ 12:37:24
Gangster or warlord can prevent the hunger for change.
OTK once claimed gangsters orchestrated by OKT were the culprit that created chaos during the MCA youth EGM to decide on the purchase of Nanyang Siang Pau by Huaren Holdings. Now the bullying tactic through local taiko if proven to be right, OTK is just proven to be another Chinese educated bustard who likes to hide behind a holy cultural curtain tailored with his mastery crafted Chinese essays through the local dailies. By the way i declare that i m Chinese educated but not a cultural bustard.
Proficiency of language must be used to impart knowledge, radiate love and not for evil purposes.
The politics of fear by BN has been used so often in Chinese villages and those older folks were scared. The younger generation must stand up tell the Orang Besar to get lost unless you don’t subscribe to concept of equality and justice.
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