Pages

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Kuala Terengganu By-Election: Controversy of Hudud Law and Its Implications/ 我对瓜登补选的看法

I went campaigning in the Kuala Terengganu by-election on the 8th January accompanied by YB Chua Tee Yong, the MP for Labis, some MCA, Wanita and Youth members of the Kuala Terengganu division.

Arriving at 8.30a.m. in Kuala Terengganu airport by Firefly, we went for breakfast. After that, we started work.

We covered about 50 shop houses in the city centre. The response was good and I was pleasantly surprised that most of the voters know me by my full name.

A few requested to take photograph with me while some requested for my signature on the New Year greeting card. Of course I have to oblige to their requests. Facial and name recognition seems to help in the walk about.

After lunch, we met up with the Teochew Association of Kuala Terengganu. The Teochews numbered about 80 families in the Kuala Terengganu town.

Most of them are small time businessman. During the dialogue, nothing very much inspired.

However, during teatime interaction, a lot generally acknowledged that if they support PAS, it is because they are not happy with UMNO and not because they subscribe to PAS’ political agenda.

The fact that BN will not lose control at the federal level if it loses the by-election seems to be working to the advantage of the PAS.

I took the opportunity to talk about how voters should exercise their votes wisely and that it should not be swayed by emotion.

During voting, I said that voters should evaluate:

1) The candidate’s party;

2) The quality of the candidate

The party is important. This may explain why very few independent candidates are successful during election.

In this case, we have an UMNO and BN candidate pitted against PAS and PR party.

After the Teochew Association meeting, we went to a medium 4 storey flat. It was a good exercise covering blocks of 4 storeys flat.

Occupants of the 4 floors were surprised to see me when I knock at the door since they assume that they hardly have anyone knocking at the door when they are living on 4th floor.

During 308 election, people voted for change. We now have 5 PR state government. People have the opportunity to evaluate the performance of the PR government.

The important question is whether PR state has done better than BN state government or not.

Have they implemented what is contained in their manifesto, such as local council election and election for village chief?

PAS talks about welfare state during the 308 election and today it is talking about Hudud law. Even Anwar also supports Hudud law by saying that it is only applicable to Muslims.

Is PAS on an expedition of fishing the Malay votes with Kuala Terengganu by-election in mind where Islam holds a central place in daily lives of average Malay in Terengganu?

Will the Chinese be frightened by Hudud law?

I think we have oversimplified Hudud implementation by talking only about the punitive action of Hudud law.

We tend to talk about restriction of the sale of alcohol and gambling outlet as if this is all about Hudud.

We have failed to talk about the bigger picture of Hudud and its effect in a multiracial country like Malaysia.

Today, there are over 50 countries in the world where Muslims is dominant with Islam as the official religion or they are Islamic statehood.

Strictly speaking, there are only 2 among 50 over countries that practice a more western form of Parliamentary democracy, which is Malaysia and Turkey.

The rest are often autocratic. They may have election about what is beyond our comprehension is that often some of these countries have Islamic Religion Council of which their position and power is way above the Parliament. The council members are appointed members.

It can be noted that most of these countries are not doing well economically despite they are having a lot of oil.

Generally, they are not investor and tourism friendly. Often, people will quote the example of Egypt and South Korea.

35 years ago, Egypt and South Korea have the same capital income. But today, Egypt’s per capital income is not even 20 percent that of South Korea.

Hudud implementation has wide ramification and implications in a multiracial country like Malaysia. It will be a messy job to implement Hudud only among Muslims and leaving the non-Muslims to the civil law.

Presently, we have enough confusion and controversy even with syariah and civil law. It will just add more confusion to what is already a difficult problem to resolve between syariah and civil law in some divorce cases where one of the spouse in converted to Islam.


本月8日,我由拉美士国会议员蔡智勇、以及一些来自瓜拉登嘉楼马华、妇女组和马青同志陪同下,在瓜登展开补选拉票运动。

当天清晨8时30分,我乘着飞萤航机抵至瓜登,用过早餐后就开始工作。

我们拜访市中心约50间店屋,选民反应出奇的好,令我受惊若宠的是大部分选民都认识我,还叫得出我的名字。

一些选民要求与我合照,一些则取出贺年卡要我签名,我当然不会令他们失望。熟悉的名字与脸孔对逐户拜访的确有帮助的。

午膳后,我们会见瓜登潮州会馆的会员。当地约有80个潮州家庭,他们大部分是小商贩。我们在对话交谈中并没有得到太大的启发,然而,在茶点时间的交流中,我发觉他们普遍上都承认,如果他们投选回教党,原因是不喜欢巫统,而非支持贺认同回教党的政治议程。

这里点出一个事实:如果国阵在这场补选失利,并不会影响该联盟持有的中央政权。这样的论点对回教党相当有利,他们也会利用次论调拜票。

我籍此机会向选民解说,他们应该精明地利用选票,万万不可受到情绪的影响左右。

我要求选民在投票时,必须慎重的评估:
1)候选人隶属的政党;
2)候选人的素质。

政党扮演非常重要的角色,这说明了为什么独立人士都不容易在选举中突围而出。因此在这起补选中,我们国阵与巫统候选人事实上是直接对垒回教党和民联候选人。

告別潮州会馆同乡后,我们到访4层楼的组屋,我也乘机好好地运动一番,我向4楼的住家叩门时,住户见到我时感到惊喜,可能是因为他们住在高高的4楼,平日罕有访客吧!

308全国大选时,人民期盼改变。目前有5个州属归民联管辖,人民因此有机会评估民联政府的表现。关鍵问题是,民联政府管理的州属是否比之前的国阵州政府还要好?

民联州政府是否已经履行宣言內容,诸如地方议席选举和村长选举?

回教党在308大选中大事宣传要建立“福利州”的意愿,但今天却不断提到实施断肢法。事实上,安华也是支持断肢法,而且已解释和强调这适用于所有的回教徒。

回教党是否在瓜登补选中企图擄获马来人的选票?他们认为,回教教义占据了瓜登一般马来人的生活。

华人会否畏惧断肢法?

我想,如果我们在讨论断肢法时只是触及它的的刑罚,可能把断肢法的定义简化了。我们只提及禁酒、禁赌,笼统的以为这就是断肢法的一切。其实我们并没有向华社全面性的解释断肢法以及其对马来西亚这个多元种族国家的影响。

今天,全球有50个国家由回教徒支配,这些国家是回教国或立回教为国教。

严格来说,50个国家中只有2国是采纳西方形式或民主议会制度,那就是马来西亚和土耳其。
其他国家则相当专制,他们可能有选举,但远超于我们所认识的。这些国家当中一些是拥有回教理事会,其委员也是被委任的,而他们的权势与位置一般上远远的超越了国会。

值得注意的一点是,这些国家虽然富产石油,经济却都搞得不太好;广泛来说,这些国家都不适宜投资和旅游。

很多人会以埃及和南韩为例来解释以上的论点。35年前,埃及和南韩同属收入均等国家;可是,今天的埃及的总收入却不及南韩的20%。

若要在类似马来西亚这样的多元种族国家实行断肢法,涉及的层面肯定非常广大,更会引起巨大分歧,如果只向回教徒实行断肢法,而非回教徒则奉行民事法侓,这是极其复杂与困难的工作。
目前我们已经对我国的回教法和民事法律有太多的混淆和争议,若再推行断肢法就会让原本已经存在的问题与情况更加的严重!这可从最近一些皈依回教的非马来人在办理离婚申请的案例中看到回教法和民事法侓之间的混淆与冲突,所造成的严重问题!

因此,对这些问题的了解与看法是非常的重要,也对这次的选举有极大的影响。

39 comments:

NEIL said...

Dr Chua,
Of course,not only these people knows you,you will be surprise that 25 million also knows you after that dvd publicity.
That's is absolutely correct.Many chinese voters and me include,aill be voting DAP and today in KT,the chinese will vote PAS,not becos they wants to sleep with PAS,but becos they are fed up with umno/BN.So with you joining MCA,you are grouped together with all this crooks who plunders our country.When you move around,the chinese just shake your hands to give you face,but infact they have make up their mind voting for PAS.Another important thing is the chinese are determine to boot out MCA becos MCA didn't protest strongly when Ahmad Ismail called the chinese 'squatters'.Gerakan was doing a better job than MCA.At least DR Koh did protest to AAB about this behaviour,but MCA was just sleeping.
Lastly,you and OTK will be held fully responsible for the demise of MCA, since OTK is recklessly trying to corner you.With all this in fighting,MCA is sure to be doomed.
We,the chinese will godspeed MCA demise!

Amber said...

Dear Dr. Chua,

Can you explain to us why MCA has been providing unrecognised qualification to our children? I'm refering to TARC, where only 10% of its qualification is currently being recognised by the government.

What about the remaining 90%? The institution has 20k over students. So simple maths tell us that almost 18k students are doing the unrecognised programmes.

Yes, not many are gonna work for gov, but you must know that it's hard to proceed to masters in local universities when the qualification is not recognised.

It contradicts the life-long-learning campaign that MCA is currently promoting.

Regards.

Suci Dalam Debu said...

Dear Dr Chua,

I understand that it is your duty to do the rounds in KT. I am sure you could sensed that the people whom you met are generally of 2 kinds; 1.those out to bodek you and tell you what you want to hear
2. Those who support you but have to vote for PAS because they hate UMNO & MCA's OTK.

I am a life member of MCA but I'll pray hard that PAS will trash BN by a wide margin.

I also hope that the Chinese majority area will throw an overwhelming support to PAS because MCA under OTK is hopeless with Tan Sri Lau as a lapdog.

Finally, I don't mind at all to leave MCA. Anyway, wish you the best. If you can be President next time, then I'll probably remain as member.

Anonymous said...

Blessed New Year to you and your family.
Any photos?

Unknown said...

Hudud law? d chinese in KT & Kelantan will not buy in regime umno/mca propaganda in hudud bcos they're well known to this 'issue' ! it's a non-issue to them !!!!!

what d chinese wanted is teach regime umno a harsh lesson not to bully d chinese that has been 'silent' long enough.
for d chinese, undi BN...will their life change/improve?

look at 1999 GE, all chinese voted in rescue of umno but d chinese was 'rewarded' SJK(C) D'sara CLOSED for 2969days !!!!!

in 2008 GE, all d chinese united & kick regime umno hard enough to weak them up...... SJK(C) D'sara re-open ! shame on MCA !

in Ijok 'buy-election', D'sara SOS bump on OKT. what's OKT reaction?
OKT just brush them aside & 'no eye see' !!!!
Bravo to D'sara SOS & d chinese (minus MCA) !!!!!

dragonfly said...

Hudud is non-issue to us. Even if it affects our daily life, the next GE is not far away and we know who to vote for. PKR and DAP will be naive to let PAS has it ways. UMNO-MCA is treating the Chinese like kids with all this threatening propaganda. It's also disgusting that MCA is making political mileage out of reopening Damansara school which MCA was so adamant is closing in 2000.

Malaysian Chinese said...

要大马成为回教国就只有一个途径,那就是修宪。而修宪必须得到三分二议院的附和。回教党参选的议席根本不到国会二分之一,就算全胜也无法单独执政.

Suci Dalam Debu said...

To the Chinese Malaysian of Kuala Terengganu, I hope you will not forget

1. TUMPANG
2. BALIK NEGERI

and MCA did not voice out loud enough in PROTEST against the above.

Now is your turn to perform the sacred duty to elect the party that respect you more. VOTE PAS. Spread the message. Do you part. Kick BN & MCA out.

Take BN's money if offered but VOTE PAS!

Suci Dalam Debu said...

Dr Chua,

I know OTK is at war with you. He feels threatened by your presence.

You have nothing to lose but everything to gain to start working to restore the respect that Chinese Malaysian deserves.

The delegates gave you a second life and do make full use of it. To err is human but to forgive is divine.

You do the right thing and don't worry. Let OTK do the dirty job. He will be kicked out come next MCA election. The delegates are getting a lot smarter and knows the truth.

Remember & practice Sun Tzu's art of war strategies.

Anonymous said...

Dr Chua,

It is refreshing indeed to read an intelligent and well-thought opinion on the matter of hudud. Most discourses of this issue run along trying to frighten the non-Bumis with it, or whip up the sentiments of Malays by trying to tie it with racial and religious pride. Perhaps these simplistic views have been repeated so often that many people forget, or do not know how to look beyond them anymore to see the bigger picture.

Reading this piece has only strengthened my belief that you need to quit the MCA and join PR, or even strike out on your own. While the country is sorely in need of politicians of your calibre, the rakyat has no choice but to finish off MCA and the rest of BN. Even you cannot hope to offset the tremendous inertia of corruption, racism, and poor governance that BN has come to stand for. While you are a indeed a breath of fresh air in the stuffy cell of Malaysian politics, you cannot expect the rakyat to accept MCA and BN simply for your sake.

Join PR, or strike out on your own. As far as I can see, remaining within MCA is stifling your potential contributions to the country.

cybervista said...

=====

It can be noted that most of these countries are not doing well economically despite they are having a lot of oil.

Generally, they are not investor and tourism friendly. Often, people will quote the example of Egypt and South Korea.

35 years ago, Egypt and South Korea have the same capital income. But today, Egypt’s per capital income is not even 20 percent that of South Korea.

=========

Good example, but why can't you compare Malaysia, under BN for 50 years, with South Korea?

Please give solid data for this comparison: Malaysia (under 50-year BN) versus South Korea ...

Suci Dalam Debu said...

I kinda agree with what saberfox said that you should quit MCA and join PKR!

On hindsight, there is too much at stake if MCA is left to rot just like that and the useless leaders go unpunished!

Dr Chua, if you can stay and win the presidency and save MCA, then it is worth staying and continue the struggle. Otherwise, join PKR or be independent blogger like RPK.

None of the MCA people I met actually have much confidence in the current MCA leadership despite voting for OTK.

Using Hudud to scare the Chinese voters in Kuala Terengganu is a non starter to begin with. See how stupid and out of touch BN and MCA & GERAKAN are?

See how BN & component parties use the internet?

They haven't learned anything from 308 and neither did they know how Barrack Obama won the presidential election. BN people are a bunch of dinosaurs out to make quick money & screw the rakyat.

To all fence sitters, do the courageous thing. Be an agent of CHANGE and VOTE PAS!

Stand up and be counted. VOTE PAS.

南洋閩學網誌 said...

YB Dato Seri Dr.Chua Soi Lek

I think very highly about Islam because I can feel the sincerity of most of my muslim friends.

Being a country whose official religion is islam does not mean
we have to prectise exactly what other middle east countries have been practising.

Mike said...

For the last week since Nomination Day, some media has been playing up the non-issue of Islamic laws or Hudud including MCA and yourself ……..

However yesterday, PAS, DAP and PKR made a history agreement that any policy decision must be made through consensus. A simple majority is not enough. All three -- PAS, DAP and PKR -- have to agree on whatever policy matters. Even if there were one dissenting voice, this would mean the policy would not be accepted. It must be all three or nothing at all. And this will include matters related to Islam and whatever comes with Islam, Islamic laws or Hudud included.

Pakatan Rakyat has turned the tables and it is now checkmate. The only issue used against Pakatan Rakyat in the Kuala Terengganu by-election until now is Husam’s slip-of-the-lips. The Pakatan Rakyat candidate, Wahid Endut, is spotless. He has no baggage, unlike the other candidate. So, in the absence of any tangible issues, the Hudud issue is the only thing they can use, however frivolous it may be.

With this historic agreement Pakatan Rakyat has practically killed the issue of Hudud, not only for the Kuala Terengganu by-election but forever.

Now that the issue has been buried, can MCA or you pull another rabbit out of the hat at this late stage of the campaign?

No wonder the your Hainanese Head is now claiming KT Chinese voting trend cannot represent the rest of Chinese in Malaysia ? ! ! .................. I guess he already know the outcome of the election ? !

OTK is cornering you and doesn’t even bother to look you in the eyes…cos he doesn’t respect you at all…

I use to respect you but not anymore. As they said one rather die standing than survive without dignity kneeling.


I have decided to quit MCA after joining for more than 15 years and will be convincing the rest of my family to do so ….

Mike said...

瓜登补选 国阵继续发动“银弹攻势”,不过对象不是华裔选民,而是占了88%的马来选民,甚至破天荒以“人人有份”的幸运抽奖方式来大派工程合约。

中央政府将在今年发出至少583项总值1580万令吉的工程给登州F级承包商。这些工程都是瓜登县内的公共与基本建设,每项介于2万至5万令吉之间。

根据目前的条例,只有土著公司能够申请成为F级承包商。

破纪录人人有份

这次的工程是“世界纪录”,采用“人人有份,绝不落空”方式,所有合格的F级承包商都有机会获得工程。

“这项抽奖打破世界纪录,所有参与者都能获得合约与工程。”

工程的分发是通过电脑抽奖进行,有关公司派出代表到电脑前按键,电脑就会抽出有关公司获得的工程,并在荧幕上显示工程项目以及价值。

抽奖不考虑有关公司的能力与背景,只要是向当局注册的合格F级承包商,就有机会参与抽奖,而且保证不会空手而归。活动现场就师范了10项工程的抽奖过程。

若国阵胜出将发更多工程

Haven't we learn enough from the privated tolls highway, fungus infected hospital, PKFTZ etc.

How can you honestly look us in the eyes and tell us nothing wrong with these sort of award of government contracts... without going through the proper tendering and qualification processes…. By just a press of button, contracts costing 10 of thousands are issued without knowing any details about the contractor’s qualification / background, track records etc.…


It is these type of incoherence spending and issuing of contracts that get us into the mess we are today.

Truly another Malaysia Boleh story…..

呉 和豪 said...

YB Dato Seri Dr.Chua Soi Lek



蔡细历医生是一位非常好的父亲,非常好的领袖,他的出现将会带来正面的影响。提高华人的士气,使国阵取得更好的成绩。

Suci Dalam Debu said...

Dr Chua,

The way Najib is handling out contracts to KT Class F contractors definitely needs rebuking.

Of course it would be political suicide for you to condemn the current practice. But then, is MCA or GERAKAN in general think that it is the prudent way to give out contracts?

Isn't that political bribery?

So UMNO, MCA & GERAKAN, you all are just a bunch of thieves and robbers out to cheat the rakyat!

UNDILAH PAS!

yakuzanam said...

YB Dato Seri Dr. Chua,

could feel the stereotyping of most of the people here in voicing their unhappiness towards MCA and of course BN as a whole with domination of UMNO.

i guess, it's really okay for them as rakyats to voice out their unhappiness and practise their rights to vote for ANY party that they wish to support.

the revival of anwar ibrahim in political arena would be one of the major cause of pakatan's success particularly in 2008 BESIDES the frustration of rakyats towards UMNO in particular, in which include MCA for sure.

all that i can say is, UMNO, MCA, MIC, Gerakan and other component parties should really have a good reflection on what has taken place in March 2008 GE. Gerakan's current president has taken a pretty firm stand as compared to MCA's. MCA's image is deteriorating gradually day by days with so many un-pleasant happenings within the party itself. perhaps, you should know better than me since you seem to be one of the political victims.

MCA has in fact done a lot for the chinese community BUT there are major big issues that MCA has not been able to deal with due to the over-dominance of UMNO within BN. in politics, one side will always fan up the opponent's weakness and in this case, there are really many unsolved issues that BN (with UMNO as the leader) yet to address their stands.

imagine, some of the chinese are now talking about accepting hudud law when they themselves DONT really know what're the intricacies involved should hudud laws are implemented. NAMELY, only for muslims BUT as a matter of fact, it involves non-muslims indrectly in MANY ways. well, that's their naive call that we cant change.

in mike's view, "However yesterday, PAS, DAP and PKR made a history agreement that any policy decision must be made through consensus. A simple majority is not enough. All three -- PAS, DAP and PKR -- have to agree on whatever policy matters"

well, mike. i guess no point explaining if you still dont realise that PAS is the strongest party in pakatan (if you analyse the the result of the previous GE). you shall understand my meaning when the time comes. by the time they gain MORE seat as compared to DAP and PKR, I guess, it's a bit too late for DAP and PKR (DAP in particular) to back-out UNLESS they wanna be PAS's favourite pet. at least, MCA is against kow-kow on implementation of hudud law. what happened to DAP's outspoken quality ? ONLY one pathetic lonely tiger stood firm to his stand against hudud law ? perhaps coz, he's the only smart and wise lawyer to have realised the intricacies involved. you guys should also study the history of PAS's manifestos and goals. they can always 'verbally' agree to ANY conditions UNTIL they have time to strike back. just try to dare them to change their party's manifesto.

well, i believe nothing can change the perception of public for time being. perhaps, the layering of time shall prove the sincerity of Pakatan as compared to BN or i would say MCA.

worse come to worse, MCA and BN might lost in the next GE but that shouldnt be the end of story because the loose pact of Pakatan will sparks more hoo-haa.

Pakatan is strong today with the leadership of an exceptionally good self-producer-director-actor leader. the bond will definitely crack when the TIME comes.

YB Dato Seri Dr ... it's definitely an uphill task to bring MCA to zaman kegemilangan. i believe many MCA members can see what you have done.

Cheers.

Mike said...

Actually what is there to be scare of Hudud law. Nowaday you talk to any one on the street including the old lady selling the kua tiau, she can tell you precisely what are wrong with the present establishment.

Chua is a smart guy, you think he didn’t know what is wrong or sick with the presence government.

As one voter interviewed on TV very smartly put it “ both are bad, but we are going to select the least evil one’.

If yakuzanam is correct that MCA has done a lot for the Chinese, then we don’t have to fight for the opening of new Chinese primary schools, scholarship for our bright students, etc. Schools should be built when there is a need for it regardless of type. Imagine the PJ Chinese School closed for over 2600 days, when BN won big in 2004 the school remains closed. Only when the 308 tsunami hit, the school is re-open. How do you think we Chinese fell… betray by someone we trusted…and the Deputy Education Minister still go on TV to proudly announced the re-opening (it should never be closed in the 1st place..!)

With all the unfair toll concession signed for LDP, Plus and the 20+ tolls highway, one way increase of TNB bill (when oil price went up they immediately increased tariff but now the oil price fell to below USD40, only they tell us they don’t use petrol to generate electricity… what a f…..).

The cracking highway in Kepong… why should we tax payer paid for all the faulty design and built highway.

The fungus infected hospitals constructed, the PKFTZ and plus many many more…. The list is endless …..

You see there is this thing called accountability. If the rakyat gave you a mandate you must treasure it and do good indeed as a return and not abuse it.. You know the Chinese said once become an official, you will be cursed to be born cow for nine generation…..

The people are water and the government is a boat, the water can carry the boat or over turn it….

If yakuzanam ever study Chinese history or actually any history at all, he will realize all dynasties go through the 4 phases of inception, growth, peak and decay. Once it is rotten to the roots, it will be replaced by another dynasty. That is just the law of nature.

I strongly believe MCA days are number not for any personal hatred or anything, simply because the leaders are out of touch with the people and reality. Sad but it is the truth….

yakuzanam said...

mike, as i've said, i do understand your strong and firm thought about the whole political situation that we are having in malaysia. of course u deserve every single right to of anything.

well, i've seen stuffs from my perspective by looking positively at mca's on-going major contributions to the chinese communities which you might have not experienced or seen. while at the same time, you do have your points in arguing on the abuse of powers from the political leaders that are given mandate by the rakyats. so, it's going to be a series of never-ending stories.

however, i would only comment on the part of "dynasties go through the 4 phases of inception, growth, peak and decay". yes, historically it was the norm, particularly during the warring period and some contemporary precedent of other nation but i beg to differ your analysis if you are applying these phases to the political scenario in malaysia. also disagree that mca days are being numbered.

i guess in malaysia's political situation, we are not a linear-one-way phase as per highlighted, where there are existence of one dynasty to replace another dynasty it's more like a radial circling manner, which i believe does reflect the political situation in most of the developed nation.
i said this because, it's pretty hard to relate the so-called 4 literal phases with the political revival of parties like pas, dap and their new ally of pkr ? i believe they were once labelled as "days are being numbered"

as i've said, "worse come to worse, MCA and BN might lost in the next GE but that shouldnt be the end of story because the loose pact of Pakatan will sparks more hoo-haa."

to be honest, i was one of the persons that did subtlely wish that anwar will take over the country for a short period of time. not that he and his party are good. it's more like teaching bn and other component parties a good lesson.

i guess it's enough said on my stand. my main point is, most of the people (particularly, non-muslims) are still unaware of the danger of supporting PAS. their sincerities are really in great doubt. their manifestos and extremism are still pretty much hanging there in their mind. the right timing will sparks the explosion.

the so-called "law of nature" will evolve, my friend. look at countries like america (democratic vs republican)or australia (liberal vs labor). none of their days are numbered. they will just keep on battle to serve their rakyats better.

in the end, just leave it to the rakyats to decide.

i'm defintely giving strong NO NO to PAS and their extremism. i quote, "over my dead body" ...

cheers.

yakuzanam said...

mike, as i've said, i do understand your strong and firm thought about the whole political situation that we are having in malaysia. of course u deserve every single right to of anything.

well, i've seen stuffs from my perspective by looking positively at mca's on-going major contributions to the chinese communities which you might have not experienced or seen. while at the same time, you do have your points in arguing on the abuse of powers from the political leaders that are given mandate by the rakyats. so, it's going to be a series of never-ending stories.

however, i would only comment on the part of "dynasties go through the 4 phases of inception, growth, peak and decay". yes, historically it was the norm, particularly during the warring period and some contemporary precedent of other nation but i beg to differ your analysis if you are applying these phases to the political scenario in malaysia. also disagree that mca days are being numbered.

i guess in malaysia's political situation, we are not a linear-one-way phase as per highlighted, where there are existence of one dynasty to replace another dynasty it's more like a radial circling manner, which i believe does reflect the political situation in most of the developed nation.
i said this because, it's pretty hard to relate the so-called 4 literal phases with the political revival of parties like pas, dap and their new ally of pkr ? i believe they were once labelled as "days are being numbered"

as i've said, "worse come to worse, MCA and BN might lost in the next GE but that shouldnt be the end of story because the loose pact of Pakatan will sparks more hoo-haa."

to be honest, i was one of the persons that did subtlely wish that anwar will take over the country for a short period of time. not that he and his party are good. it's more like teaching bn and other component parties a good lesson.

i guess it's enough said on my stand. my main point is, most of the people (particularly, non-muslims) are still unaware of the danger of supporting PAS. their sincerities are really in great doubt. their manifestos and extremism are still pretty much hanging there in their mind. the right timing will sparks the explosion.

the so-called "law of nature" will evolve, my friend. look at countries like america (democratic vs republican)or australia (liberal vs labor). none of their days are numbered. they will just keep on battle to serve their rakyats better.

in the end, just leave it to the rakyats to decide.

i'm defintely giving strong NO NO to PAS and their extremism. i quote, "over my dead body" ...

cheers.

呉 和豪 said...

To YB Dato Seri Chua Soi Lek

Message to all saudara and saudri of Kuala Trenganu through chua 9 blog


各位瓜拉登嘉楼的选民你们好
首先祝各位      新年快乐,万事如意


一提到瓜拉登嘉楼,就不禁想起海。海与登嘉楼的人民息息相关,我们的祖先以前是乘帆船来到这里, 三保太监郑和曾在瓜拉登嘉楼登陆,15世纪时本地人PANGLIMA AWANG 也途径瓜拉登嘉楼从菲立彬出发而成为第一个环绕世界的人 。登嘉楼的人民也是靠海为生, 海造就了这里的石油工业,捕鱼业,造船业,旅游业。吉兰丹的天然地理情况与登嘉楼相似,登嘉楼有的东西吉兰丹都有, 为什麽,登嘉楼的经济会大超越吉兰丹呢? 请瓜拉登嘉楼的选民好好的想一想,我们需要的是务实的政府, 能带动国内石油工业,捕鱼业,造船业,旅游业的政府及候选人。你们应该精明地利用你们的选票。

海对每一个马来西亚人都是重要, 为我们提供了富有蛋白质的海产,还是我们与外界联系的交通要道。我们要好好的保护海洋资源,好好维持海上交通安全,使鱼民安心作业。对于最近马来西亚海军打退索马里海盗的事件,我们是非常光荣和高兴,但我们也希望海军也能够好好的保护马来西亚的鱼民.同时也要积极保护及发展与鱼业有关的工业,如造船业,养殖业,使到鱼村能持续发展。我们需要的是务实的政府, 能带动国内石油工业,捕鱼业,造船业,旅游业的政府及候选人。请你们应该精明地利用你们的选票。
也请听我为了表达对鱼民的敬意而作的[南洋濱海民謠]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8paVCQJZQiA

Suci Dalam Debu said...

I am a Chinese Malaysian from Terengganu and I am NOT afraid of Hudud at all.

As I mentioned earlier, I am a lifetime MCA member, having done my part many years ago when MCA was on the brink of bankruptcy. My whole family were strong and active MCA members.

Yes, those days, we would do our part to save MCA because MCA was relevant. Now MCA can't even stand on their own without the support of UMNO. How pathetic!

MCA leaders have led MCA downhill into the abyss and the current crop is still dreaming of grandeur. They seem not accountable to the delegates' or members' wishes. They don't know that it is the members who are the true boss. They have their so-called own vision. They are almost immune to accountability just like their political masters, UMNO. No more equal partners. It is a master-servant relationship where even a deputy youth chief can cowed an MCA's minister and president! MCA now is a TUMPANG party.

We know PAS and PAKATAN are no angels themselves and will not be fooled by DSAI's charisma. But the main question remains: Who is the lesser of two EVILS?

The resounding answer is BN. Only through their gerrymandering and other underhand tactics do they managed to hang on to power and continue on their frequent path of stealing from the rakyat.

I bet my life that if this KT election or 308 GE has TRULY been fair, BN would have been swept out of Putrajaya.

MCA is only relevant in handling out some business crumbs to their cronies. The interest of the rakyat is no more the number ONE priority in reality no matter how loud and pretentious the leaders make it out to be.

MCA has screwed up so much that it is almost impossible to list down. Their core & foundation are rotten. Only the paintwork looks nice.

I predict that come the next GE, MCA wil go the way of GERAKAN unless the RIGHT thing is done. MCA,as the Malay Proverb says, "Hanya tinggal nyawa-nyawa ikan".


Sad but True. The realistic choice is PAS & PAKATAN in KT. Fullstop.

Mike said...

Yakuzanam, I trust you to be a very intelligent men but please check this out;


When asked about his stand on Hudud, Wan Farid Wan Salleh, replied, “I don't think it's an issue.” He did not say whether he supports Hudud or opposes it. He just refused to commit himself to the issue.

While UMNO and MCA have challenged PKR and DAP to state their stands on the Islamic State and Hudud, Umno itself will not commit itself to the issue. PAS can’t change Malaysia from a Secular State to an Islamic State. It can’t abrogate our common laws and replace them with Islamic laws. It can’t do that now or ever in the future. The arithmetic just does not allow PAS to do that. It’s as simple as that. It’s all about the arithmetic. And PAS has said so many times that anything it does will be according to the Federal Constitution of Malaysia and not in violation of it.

Umno, however, can. This is because, through the Barisan Nasional coalition, they have the majority in Parliament, although no longer a two-thirds majority since the 8 March 2008 general election. So we need to ask Umno, not PAS, the question.

Currently there is an ongoing court case in Sabah. Chong Kah Kiat, the 13th Chief Minister of Sabah, the former president of the Liberal Democratic Party (a member of Barisan Nasional), is taking the Umno state government to court for not allowing a Buddhist statue to be built in the state. Chong, who was the Deputy Chief Minister, also resigned his post in protest. It is not PAS but Umno that is blocking the Ma Tzu or Goddess of The Sea statue in Kudat, Sabah. So whom are more extreme?


Let’s move on ….

PAS, DAP or PKR oppose to the Internal Security Act. What about MCA, Gerakan and alike…

The Constitution says no one can be detained without being told of his/her crime and must be produced in front of a magistrate within 24 hours. The Internal Security Act allows one to be detained without being told of his/her crime and they can be held without being brought in front of a magistrate for the rest of his/her life.


According to the Constitution, a person is innocent until proven guilty. And the onus is on the Prosecution to prove guilt. The Accused needs not prove innocence. All he or she has to do is to raise reasonable doubt and the benefit of the doubt must be given to the Accused. Under the Internal Security Act, the government needs not prove guilt and the Accused has to instead justify that his or her detention is invalid. But the detained person will not be allowed a trial. Instead, a panel will hear the arguments of the Accused in secret, behind closed doors. And, in all cases, the panel will reject the arguments of the Accused.

And that is why PAS, DAP and PKR opposes the ISA, because it violates the Constitution. This PR coalition respects the Constitution not only with regards to the right of an accused to a fair and open trial but also with regards to converting Malaysia into an Islamic State and the implementation of Islamic laws.

So, whom can we trust? A party that respects and will comply to the Federal Constitution of Malaysia or one that violates the Constitution every step of the way?

The issue is not just about the Internal Security Act or Hudud. It is about laws that are implemented which do not violate the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.

People of Malaysia has come a long way and with today technology and information network you don’t really need to be a rocket scientist to figure out which of the two makes a better government.

I also beg to be differ from Yakuzanam, for those who are currently enjoying all the privilege,

THE NIGHT MAY STILL BE YOUNG BUT THE PARTY WILL SOON BE OVER..

So for the Mr Koh S K and alike enjoy your last karaoke session and 21” price TV. You have your chance and now is other turn ……….

Have a good day….

yakuzanam said...

that was a swift and thorough detailed-out reply by mike.

i'm always fascinated with discussion like this with couple of my friends who are pakatan-supporters. we are friends by nature but with differing views when it comes to politics.

as i've said, it's always going to be a series of never-ending stories when both parties keep highlighting stories from both sides. that part of the beauty of the whole scenario.

for instance, issues highlighted by MCA information and communication bureau chief Lee Wei Kiat in The Star today (13/01/2009) http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/1/13/nation/3002762&sec=nation

things being highlighted by MCA information and communication bureau chief Lee Wei Kiat also very much relevant and does portray great inconsistencies in the semangat of pakatan-ism as claimed by lim guan eng during kt by-election's press conference.

in the end, reiterating what i've posted again, "just leave it to the rakyats to decide."

it's really not a bad thing if bn loses the federal government in next ge (because i do have faith they can win back but of course it would be an uphill task) BUT i would really believe that it will be pretty disastrous if pas obtains greater popularity day by days, to a stage they will definitely overshadow dap and pkr.

mike, remember, pas is NOT only a racial-based political party BUT a political party that practise extremism ...

imagine, their never-ending protests against concerts became an international joke, even among my overseas friends when they found out about it. if no protest, they 'creatively' thought of distribute flyers pulak, issuing warning of sins committed if muslims participate or attend those so-called sinful concerts.

if female kena raped, if i remember correctly, they would issue extreme statement like, because the female didnt tutup aurat (as though those who tutup aurat WILL NOT be a victim).

do you then recall their statement about pretty women should stay at home to avoid 'distractions' at workplaces ?

arent these a bit crazy and extreme, out-of-context in a contemporary society ? they have recently adopted the low-profile and very smart political game.

it's juz not acceptable to me in looking at the contemporary context. i really dont mind if pkr and dap establish a strong alliance but to me pas is rather worrying and horrifying.

if you mentioned about ISA, to some extent, i wish to think that country like malaysia does need it for numerous reasons BUT sadly, it was being wrongfully abused by certain parties for their own interests. so, agree with you on the bad-handling of ISA issue.

i personally believe that the use of ISA must be re-viewed and re-defined INSTEAD of completely abolish it for a start.

thanks

Anonymous said...

@ yakuzanam,

Sweet lah.

UMNO say PAS is being used by PKR and DAP, Islam is being bullied by PKR/DAP, PAS is only mosquito party in PR, so to make the (naturally pro-Islam) Malays angry.

But behind UMNO's backside, MCA tell the Chinese PAS is too strong, PKR/DAP cannot control PAS, if PR wins PAS will take control and implement extremist policies.

Do you see their pathetic attempts at psycho-ing you yet?

K L said...

It takes BN 50 years to rule 1 country and 13 states and yet the country and the individual states are still in a mess. How do you expect PR to manage well in only 5 states in less than a year only.
Give them a few more states and the country, I am sure they can perform better than BN.

yakuzanam said...

saberfox,

actually, the correct scenario should be this ...

PKR and DAP are being used by PAS in the alternative coalition.

however, you might not be able to accept this but the time will tell what i really mean by then.

if you ask me, PKR and DAP will not be able to control PAS's strong influence by then.

saberfox, if you try to analyse the march 08 general election and the history of those constituencies that PKR won, you could be just impressed to find out some answers that could back my statement.

anyway, shall try to reflect on your own question, "Do you see their (PKR) pathetic attempts at psycho-ing you yet?"

enough said.

cheers.

Robert Teh said...

Soi Lek,

I hate to say this, but I believe you are fighting a Lost Cause!

You are fighting for a cause where, you yourself, have lost confidence in - the BN you dream to reform will never come any closer to that dream of yours.

Just see the overwhelming response from your blog on this lost cause - MCA will never regain the lost support of the Chinese community, especially from the young. I am afraid, the majority of MCA supporters today are old timers, whom held liftime memberships. But these old timers can't even convince or influence their very own children to support MCA as it is now.

In years to come, MCA like most race-based parties will see their impending demise. The Young today and tomorrow are moving towards a world amongst equals - they will no longer accept or tolerate a world where there are Fisrt Class, Second Class and Third Class citizens. They will demand a just, fair and democratic Malaysia, where every Malaysian shall live as equal citizens.

Dump that lost cause, Doc. It's about time.

Anonymous said...

@ yakuzanam,

No need for me (or anyone else) to ask your take on it; it's clear you've taken the bait, hook, line, and sinker.

I was simply pointing out the simple fact that BN component parties can't even agree on what to spin to the public. Of course we know all about their internal disunity, but other than that, having a unified cause is not to the benefit of their political mileage. They need the Malays to believe PAS (and hence by extension Islam) is being trodden upon by chauvinist DAP and race-traitor PKR, and gullible Chinese like you to believe the opposite; hence two versions of the story being spun to two different segments of the community.

I am not going to ask you for your opinion, nor argue with you about it. I don't need to, and it's a fruitless exercise anyway given how some people prefer vague suppositions and speculation over facts. I'm just telling you the OTHER side of the story BN has been telling the Malays. Which version of the two you choose to cling to is your own business.

Suci Dalam Debu said...

Robert Teh makes a lot of sense when he said "I hate to say this, but I believe you are fighting a Lost Cause!"

Dr Chua, you are an old soldier and I don't believe you will just fade into the background. You will have to go for the number 1 post to harbor any faint hopes of closing ranks and making MCA relevant again.

The revival of MCA calls for the removal of the current leadership who is still playing a lap dog role to UMNO.

An overwhelming 77% voted for MCA to leave BN in his the president's Blog and there are many other comments too. Did he make any comments on them? No. Does he read his own blog? Does he get the pulse or sentiment of warga MCA? He is in self-induced grandeur!

Robert Teh is only partially correct when he says only the older members are strong supporters of MCA. Many old MCA members and their children are now supporting the alternatives available. Even a local MCA chief threw his support for the opposition recently. We used to admit this only in private but now, I don't really care if they want to sack me for supporting the opposition. Even my old grandma voted for the opposition; first time in her life and he children almost 80% for PAS & KeADILan.

So Dr Chua, you are indeed fighting an uphill battle. For some reasons, I trust you as a politician, not perfect but a lot better that the current bunch of hypocrites we have.

Today, the HUDUD issue will be laid to rest by the Chinese Malaysian of KT. I believe the MCA's approach of using HUDUD to scare KT Chinese will be proven wrong again. Indeed MCA has been wrong for so many years now.

People of KT, VOTE PAS for a change.

Suci Dalam Debu said...

I am crying tears of joy to learn that PAS has won KT with a 2631 vote majority and Hudud did not faze the KT Chinese.

Serves BN right & MCA, listen, the majority of bandar Chinese did not vote for BN.

MCA leaders, did you get the message? Comes next G election, there will me more younger voters and BN will be booted out of Putrajaya. Surely the end is coming and MCA will do a GERAKAN; sinks to irrelevance.

Dr Chua, I think you'd better jump ship.

Could you also please send this message to your BOSS.

The light that OTK sees at the end of the tunnel is that of an on-coming train.

Hidup PAKATAN.

Bangsa Cina Malaysia said...

ONG TA KUT (MCA) WHAT SAY YOU ON THIS CONVICING WIN BY PAKATAN RAKYAT.

THE CHINESE ARE NOT AFRAID OF HUDUD LAW.

LIKE I SAY WHATEVER EXISTING LAW WILL NOT APPLY AS LONG AS YOU ARE A LAW ABIDING CITIZEN.

ONLY CRIMINALS OR PEOPLE WITH BAD INTENTION ARE AFRAID OF HUDUD.

EXAMPLE PEOPLE FROM BN UMNO MCA MIC GERAKAN WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT LOSING THEIR HAND.

CHIA, Chin Yau said...

Dr Chua,

Quoted from your text:

"Hudud implementation has wide ramification and implications in a multiracial country like Malaysia. It will be a messy job to implement Hudud only among Muslims and leaving the non-Muslims to the civil law.

Presently, we have enough confusion and controversy even with syariah and civil law. It will just add more confusion to what is already a difficult problem to resolve between syariah and civil law in some divorce cases where one of the spouse in converted to Islam."

If there are already so messy with Syariah and civil laws, why did not MCA oppose the implementation of Syariah law in the first place?

It is not the matter of whether the law to be implemented to a certain group of people, it matters whether the law is implemented in a fair and just manner.

Likewise for public fund allocation for development. If I am not wrong, the Menteri Besar of Trengganu commented on whether to continue allocating fund for KT development will largely depending on which side KT voters are supporting, i.e. voted.

He gave example of as a father in the family, if the kid is obedient then the father will probably love him better than kid(s) who are less obedient.

If the mentality of a Menteri Besar from Barisan Nasional liken voters as his kids, and reward or punish using public fund taxed from the voters, in which the money does not come from his own pocket like an ordinary father. How would you expect voters to continue support BN just wanted development where development fund is originating from tax payers/voters?

Frankly, I like your straight forward style, but I cannot see a good reason you should still stick to BN/MCA.

Be a man who dare to make the CHANGE instead of waiting for CHANGES to come.

Join us for CHANGE!

Unknown said...

Hey DrChua !
most of ur bloggers here r orinary rakyat. it's our voice & concern that u need fr grass roots to survive.
but yet regime umno/bn has fail to listen & act on it !

umno/bn is still in a denial mode !
very big thank you ! hahaha...

at d very beginning we all hv mentioned to u that 'hudud' is not d main isu here !

d main isu here is :
corrupted regime racist umno must CHANGE by itself !
if not, RAKYAT will change it for them to PR !!!!

Suci Dalam Debu said...

Quote:
corrupted regime racist umno must CHANGE by itself !
if not, RAKYAT will change it for them to PR !!!!

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Well said. Include MCA too!

SQLB said...

Dear Dr. Chua

I am glad that you are still as enthusiastic as before in KT campaigning.
In my mind, I hope for BN to garner the support but in my Heart, I hope otherwise to educate my friend from UMNO that sometimes, your historical actions verdict has been announced through this so call minor election.
We always forgot that humility in the key role to garner the younger generation supports.
If we proceed where we are today, I bet, my buddies all will definitely look at the other horizon.

Q-rie said...

Dear Dr. Chua, not only many Malaysian knows you, even some people in Brisbane also knows what you did before...

I guest you only provide facts about Islam from UMNO point of views. Why don't you visit some country in Middle-East and have a look how they treated non-Muslim. If you're talking about democracy, I dare to say you should look into how information and public media accessibility provided to all political parties. This fundamental of democracy element NOT prevail in all public mass media. If you're talking about confusion of Hudud, what is MCA and your stand on ISA? Hudud will take people to court for conviction, will ISA do? while more non-Muslim get clearer on Hudud, you try to be an architect to build confusion. Anyway good luck for your political career.

KIMHO8 said...

High profile is what you always hunger for. You can fool us once or twice but not tri. Okay!

Welcome to my Blog

As a concerned MCA member, I am trying my best to help in the process of rebuilding and repositioning of the party.

Therefore, I welcome party members and members of public to post your constructive suggestions and opinions on my blog on how to rebuild and reform the party, eventually enabling MCA to regain support from all party members and the community.


Thank you for your suggestions.