Part 2 - Rotten Tongue of Asslickers

Read the news. Those media still backs Pak Lah. They boasted BN simple majority like they did not know that it was the coalition worst record ever. Once again mainstream media tried to play their roles in distorting obvious and shocking facts.

The media spin was furiously promoting BN during the election fever. Newspapers were doing weekend columns that think security in Malaysia is far above mediocre leveling at satisfactory. Free-to-air channels are running forums that say BN is very much subsidizing the prices of oil for the benefit of rakyats. Commercial airtimes were filled with BN advertisements which focus on the Selamat Aman Makmur manifesto. There was one MCA advert which shows foreign parliament members physical fighting scene which the party never resorted to in pursue of ‘working silently to bring effective results’

Weekends forums boasted about the effectiveness of BN government that successively delivered steady stream of modernization and wealth to Malaysian for the past 50years. While Malaysians were more worried about the future; years to come. BN can boast about their past achievement, but simply they cannot ignore the English saying: tomorrow won’t be promised today.

Another blatant lies will be the government ignorance, bleak eye towards the increasing price of items, insecurity and racial dissatisfaction issues. Instead of solving it, they were swept under rug. Which in turn made the people becomes angrier. Like pouring petrol onto a raging fire, government kept making advert/statement in media which refuted and denied the minority allegations government mismanagement. The credibility and trust worthiness of the ruling federal government has taken a sharp deep. Everywhere from Chinese gerai makan till Indian community halls, the government has been bashed to the max ( kutuk rapat ), and when they turn on the TV, they acts as paradox. Telling people that rakyat still loves the way BN manages the nation.

The governments were very stucked-up until Malaysia itself can qualify for an oligarchy nation. Matters like Pak Lahs ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ were countless times denied. While lauding they were practicing democracy… which happens once in 5years, not all the time.Just something to share with you about the 99.9% success of Pak Lah in 2004 elections, I have embedded this Youtube video.

For the past few months before election, news headlines repeatedly feature Pak Lah rhetoric statement that no ethnic minorities were being left behind. Pak Lahs vows to work together with Malaysian. Pak Lah concerns with rakyat trouble and tribulations. Pak Lah denying positioning his son-in-law Khairy on political fast seat. Samy Vellu overconfidence and expectations that Indians votes shall never be swayed due to the HINDRAF issues. Days before election sees hundreds of Indians switching party from PKR to MIC and making statements which pretty much degenerate the previous party. The reality that many Indians has lost faith in MIC was buried into oblivion. Chinese concern of BN becoming of a single ethnic party was another thing receiving heavy rotation of public mouth.

Now that the election has 'spoken' the voice of rakyat. News websites, TV channels and other mainstreams were pretty much sticking to the ass-licking attitude of the federal government initiates a noble effort to save face of their beloved Pak Lah-led BN. News about how he retained the Kepala Batas Parlimentary seat ( do note his reduced majority ) and Najib Tun Razak winning with higher majority were given center stage rather than Kedah new MB, Kelantan tightened hold by PAS, PKR candidate first foray into minister ship and DAP fully routed Gerakan in Penang. I think people are happier to lend their ears and eyes to that kind of news. It’s a message which they have been talking for the past few years, and only a few days ago, it has translated into the so-called political tsunami.

But poor mainstream media. They were like motivational speech-givers conveying endless word-of-support to a failing students that have flopped miserably in exams. And this nepotism ‘student’ has no use in giving motivation since he’ll definitely cripple BN to an irreversible damage. The components may suffer collateral damages.

It translated that the BN people has totally lost touch with reality. The piece of news they ever heard was the operating rooms telling local campaign chief which passes it to the constituent that eventually tells the parliament operatives that everything is going fine and smooth; BN will get the 2/3 majority. People sayang Pak Lah. But, if any of these ranks come and sit and have a coffee or sheesha coupled with frank conversation among commoners, then they will obviously get chilled to the bones on how rakyat lost trust in current government. These chilling facts being given to the higher ranks would mean BN will never rent any convention room of PWTC with mega screens just to celebrate their ‘predicted’ victory. TV3 played the repeats of Gangstaz the night after election announcement. I guess, the timeslot has been reserved for any BN victory ball party but instead were cancelled and replaced by the boring reality show.

But the votes of rakyats doesn’t cast strong shockwave to shook Pak Lah into leaving his position as PM. For him the voices of Majlis Tertinggi UMNO ( UMNO High Council, a collective of high ranking political officers that made vital directives ) matters most. He is still being hummed by sight and sound of the fantasy world, flanked with thousand of his strong supporters that taunted “Hidop Pak Lah! Hidop BN!”, he sure felt untouchable. Its time for Majlis Tertinggi UMNO to realize that Pak Lah is becoming more of liability to the sang saka bangsa and BN as a whole. Like a cancer/gangrene disease, he should be dissected ( di-sacked-ted ) or in medical terms; amputated, just like thinking of medicine doctor Mahathir statement earlier . It would be early to do it now since the pain will be short and quick. Rather than the next 5years which damage may worsen to the unthinkable? Surely Pak Lah wouldn’t want to see himself as the next opposition leader in the opposition bench?

Media right now are in crossroads. Even information minister Zainuddin Maidin himself which pretty much reins the information has fallen in Sg.Petani. They either have to report the sour defeat of BN or continue to be asslickers by praising and boasting BN simple majority win and their good delivery for the past 50years like they are the gods of wealth and equality. What kind of crossroads does the media has to experience if BN becomes the next opposition?

Thanks to the miracle of technology, the advent of blogs and websites enable people like us explore the truth and logic of Malaysia socio-politics that were often blurted out. The widespread penetration of broadband internet and alternative news media gives the rakyat bigger pictures of what is going on. Also through miracle of social utilities we see pictures of these thickly buttered oversea studying spoilt son and daughters of MP’s using their ‘elite minority’ parents allowance trying to mimic Paris Hilton or Dafi with their overgrown Gucci/DKNY/Ray-ban/Guess shades.

Part 1 - Pendulum Swings

I wonder when Kedah BN candidates roamed the kampongs sweet talking the folks to vote UMNO. Do they care to explain why they are rallying behind Pak Lah which is very critical towards Tun Dr. Mahathir?

“ Depa dok mengata kat orang kita” ( They has smeared our people ), the sentiment of state wide dissatisfaction has fueled the kampong folks to cast their votes towards the opposition. Those who still had strong faith in perjuangan UMNO, but saddened by actions of Pak Lah might just lock themselves inside home and wouldn’t care to vote.

The Kedahan majority of Malays has given opposition; particularly PAS the mandate. First in the state history since the first election were held in 1959. Never in a single term had PAS gotten any chance of being the state government; not until 8^th March 2008 when Ustaz Azizan Abdul Razak were sworn in and given the letter of appointment as Kedah 9^th MB.

I know it may sound a bit absurd and immature. That old doctor has retired politics, now venturing into some bread making business. But, he is still loved by most Kedahan, and Malaysians too. Even the PAS and other opposition leaders are giving him credits ( taking into consideration it could be a political public stunt ). The nation pretty much misses the days when political hiatus were just a mere hiccup in the daily runs of government administration. Dr. Mahathir quickly quell it then it’s back to normal business. The relevancy of Mahathir is still felt in Kedah, and the action of Pak Lah to virtually shut Mahathirs’ views from falling into public ears is very real. Mahathir absence from Persidangan Agung UMNO in previous years surely felt like not being invited to class/course reunions to me. Mahathir earlier proposed projects which perhaps paving solid groundwork for Pak Lah to gain more vote were being scrapped, instead being replaced with corridors which were nothing concrete but rhetoric promises ( except for WPI which objective can be clearly seen through Nusajaya ). Pak Lah elegant silent is also a sign of egoistic non-cooperation even though he had hours long of meeting with Tun. Pak Lahs whom regarded the inability to execute mega-projects during his tenure is due to huge spending during Mahathir minister ship is showing some sort of blame game. A legacy problem; to say in very discreet and cynical way.

These rhetoric corridors can be further questioned, worst; the falling of big northern states of Perak, Penang and Kedah further casts a limbo on the implementation of the ambitious NCER.

Surely, my earlier entry on this state being captured by the opposition ( PAS for Kedah ) has finally come to a fact. Not after 1am, the state tally sided on PAS side after neck-to-neck of catching up. Weirdly, I repeatedly asked my Kelantanese housemate of how living would be in a home state ruled by the Islamic PAS. Questions like can I wear my Bermuda pants? Can I bring along a chick in a vehicle? Can I swim along the beaches of Langkawi? Are the cinemas going to be closed down? No more karaoke? Would my hands be chopped if I was caught stealing? All these question which can be deemed as petty matters but regarded as main agenda of PAS in policing morals of people apart from enforcing their promise of negara kebajikan ( welfare state ). I have yet to see Kedah under PAS and was very excited to return there. Not like PAS is going to paint the air green, but due to their manifestos and exhaustive effort to capture this northern state, they now had a chance to realize those vividly pictured

What attracts me about PAS is their candidate which tends to be close with the constituents. They pray inside wooden kampong suraus and old mosques and listened to the same khutbahs which the commoners listened to. They ate in eateries which the constituents ate at. They bathe the water of which flowed by the same rivers that carried for the constituents. They don’t carry little notepads and lists down people concerns about the well being of their place but felt it inside their vein, seen it with their own eyes. Nonetheless, never goes to lavish trips to enjoy any European esplanade with their spoilt children taking pictures donning their overgrown Gucci/DKNY/Guess/D&G/Ray-ban shades and posting it on Facebook or any social utility websites. The image of ‘minority elite’ should be banished from UMNO, and should be declared cardinal sin for UMNO men to have this image. The humbleness is something which people really expect from an MP or Wakil Rakyat. The dedication makes people felt they are being given deeper attention rather than those who comes back to kampong months before elections.

No wonder, the votes of Malays has swayed towards the Islamic PAS. A chain-effect that I would expect is UMNO to work harder and does better than what the opposition yet to offer Kedah. Watch and learn, and UMNO shall gain the higher grounds. For party sake, the federal government cannot ‘systematically pressure’ PAS-led Kedah to weaken its governance delivery, an old dirty trick which can further tarnish BN image as people gets more matured and exposed nowadays. For the Indians, they might have their grudge against MIC for certain reason seriously needs major overhaul. The Chinese; they are flexible and strategic voters. They have this ‘independency’ towards any single political party and votes along the candidate line. Votes were only casts to those who could serve well; pure statesman.

The winning of Mukhriz Mahathir in Jerlun parliamentary seat perhaps can be translated as votes of sympathy and hope. Sympathy of what ruckus has been surrounding his dad as former premier and a dash of hopes in making the UMNO as relevant party to achieve its objective as Sang Saka Bangsa. Mahfuz Omar of Pokok Sena will be working in PAS central committee which hopefully could span his influence and do something that can develop Kedah. The United States Kent University Law graduate new Kedah MB, Ustaz Azizan might think wisely in implementing any Islamic laws which may prompt discomfort among non-Muslims. After all, the lack of 2/3 majority in the state seat limits the changes of state governance. The presence of PKR candidate offers a healthy mix. Major defeat would be the stuttering Zainuddin Maidin which contested in Sg. Petani parliamentary seat. I guess, he’s back to becoming Senator.

Part 4 - Ultra

There is always something in the air. No doubt, right now, the air is filled with the fact BN is going to settle with something less than impressive.

“ I don’t need Chinese voters! “, that was what former PM Tun Dr. Mahathir said.

It was in 1969 when Kota Setar Selatan parliamentary seat had its election, and Mahathir Mohammad was pitted against a PAS candidate. The fumes of 13May had yet to begun. The area is a Malay majority in which the Chinese encompasses less than 10%. Plus, the calculative politician thought that the Chinese wouldn’t ever wanted to cast votes on PAS which is strictly in enforcing the Islamic agenda which may ignite discomfort among different races.

Tun was wrong. Chinese indeed gave their support to PAS, a candidate by the name Tuan Haji Yusoff Rawa. Tun lost the Kota Setar seat and realized that it was his mistake for undermining the Chinese voter. The wrath of making those kind of statement never end swiftly. A person never forgets easy, now, it is about an ethnic affair. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad was popularly regarded as an ‘ultra-malay’.

He has got plethora of plans to boost the Malays in terms of economy. Since, we know money talks, and quantity means nothing if we couldn’t prove that we had a share of something that’s valuable and important. Assets and properties that formed the nation. Its nothing to cherish if we never had our hands or becomes part of it. Glorious conglomerate around the globe is useless, if we are not the ones who thrive, drive or thrust it from the inside. World class infrastructure is baseless if it was never mend to construct at our order. All of which, will make this Malay a distinct ethnic not just because of its tradition, culture and knowledge. But for the compromise it has made to gain something of bigger magnitude and valuable proportionate.

The ‘ultraness’ of Mahathir can be traced back to the Tunku Abdul Rahman era, in which he criticizes the Tunku for being lenient with the foreigner. Indeed, at the time, the mat sallehs were reluctant to let go certain key positions to us. Not until 1970’s or so. But we cannot totally blame Tunku for the leniency he has shown towards the mat salleh. Maybe, the situation demanded him to be a little ‘welcoming’ towards them. That is the logic why our forefather has supported UMNO and its move towards independence. Or else, our forefathers would have supported Ahmad Boestamam or Ibrahim Yaakob which will give no room for discussion and reconciliation with these Mat Salleh to siphon our wealth.

As time moves on, the seat of Educational Minister ( Kementerian Pendidikan, as then ), was filled by Tun Dr. Mahathir in 1979. At the time, we see the minister of education seat as a vital and strategic position, which were filled with possible Malaysian PM’s. Several notable people holding the education ministry including: Pak Lah from 1984 till 1986. Anwar Ibrahim was in this position from 1987 till 1990 followed by Najib Tun Razak 1995 till 1999. Again, we can see him trying to ascertain the Malay through language. He sets the standard of Bahasa Melayu as the the de-facto language in teaching. The split platform which were demanded by the Chinese and Indian educationist and intellectuals were fulfilled since they were concerned about preserving the mother tongue language and education systems, yet, the appeal of Sekolah Kebangsaan were seen more ‘mainstream’ platform of school. With good faith, multi stream schools are seen as the bane in national unity. Mahathir himself authorize the shutting down of SARs ( Sekolah Agama Rakyat ), in order to boost the enrolment of Malays into SMKs. Mahathir indeed never wanted to see knowledge gap between rural Malays and urban Malays. It was up to the government to further ‘push’ the job market and tertiary institution in order to ensure Sekolah Kebangsaan ( national school ) alumnus as the appealing choice. Since there are Chinese and Indians too in national school.

As a doctor whom belongs from attap roofed dwelling with earthen floor family since childhood, he had really understand the Malay traditional way of life in vein. Tun was the first commoner to hold the PM seat. Through modern medical perspective, he has given suggestions which demands the improvisation of Malay diet, which includes the importance of breakfast and the effect of lempeng (dried rice which were eaten with sugar or coconut ). He even initiates the milk programme to provide dairy nutrition to kampong kids like me. Once in a month or so, the milk bus will come and distribute boxes of yummy chocolate milk for consumption.

At times, Tun Dr. Mahathir ‘Ultraness’ were taken into the international level. To some extent, we taught that this old man is blatantly stupid. He started a ‘ Buy British last campaign’, which calls for Malaysian consumers to treat Britain produce to be purchased last as a last option. I’m sure, many elite Malays in the business and politics shall give a weird face when looking at Mahathir and his absurd stance which pretty much will backfire Malaysian economy than the UK itself. Besides, we see UK as a second-home. Many Malays have settled there or further studied there due to our history connection. During a 2003 United Nation speech, Mahathir regards Jew as the controlling the key posts of the world, but doing so through ‘proxies’.

Tun Mahathir once handled the situation which I call ‘two enemies within proximity’ scenario. We were having a strenuous diplomatic ties with Singapore which at the same time, we were having diplomatic backlashes with Australia. You know, this type of situation the worst kind which we can possibly avoid. With other less outspoken nation such as Philippines, Indonesia and Brunei witnessed how Malaysia – Singapore, Australia went sour, we thanked them for not actively choosing side and remaining neutral which helped this matter to remain a regional affair. In short, leaders may throw words at each other, but the diplomats are busy doing damage control.

Mahathir is indeed found a common ground to link PAS and UMNO before these two political party would virtually becomes a Berlin-wall-of-Malay; the Palestinian and West Bank issue. In this issue, we saw Mahathir shaking hands with the former PAS president, Ustaz Fadzil Noor while handling a donation box. In mind, Mahathir were not too eager to fight PAS and wipe its existence from Malaysia, instead, he was trying a ‘common grounds’ because there are Malays among PAS too. PAS can disregard the Islamic-ness of UMNO but, in turn, UMNO can never deny Malay within PAS. Do remember that PAS was once part of The Alliance ( Parti Perikatan ), the pre-cursor of today BN.

Generally, Mahathir ‘ultraness’ has taken a toll on the party during the 1997 Anwar sacking and subsequently giving BN a bad election record in 1999. Anwar who rallied behind UMNO and its perjuangan , now has took a multi-racial stance. It was pleasant to hear by almost everyone when an ousted high-ranking leader decided ‘open’ Malaysia ( pretty much mimics the DAP’s Malaysian Malaysia which firmly abolishes the affirmative action ) while accusing Mahathir as practicing nepotistic rule. Non-Malays were chased away by Mahathir ultraness, while Malays were sympathized with Anwars detention torture and black-eye incident, which in turn, BN lost Terengganu.

I still remembered standard 5 classmates in my former school stating that there was no kuppiah/serban wearing leaders of UMNO roster. The Islam-ness of UMNO in fact is skin deep. We can see Mahathir choosing Islamic-scholars such as Anwar Ibrahim ( ABIM leader ) and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ( Islamic studies graduate ) to win hearts of hardcore Islamist Malays.Its for the love of Bangsa, he never wants to see a rift between Malays just because of the holier-than-thou matters. It was clear to Mahathir, the Ethnic-Religion rift can cut clean Malays into two insanely fanatic sects.

Tun Dr. Mahathir even ordered the shut down of The Star ( others includes Sin Chew Jit Poh and Watan ) newspaper publication in 27^th October 1987. One of the reason was Tunku Abdul Rahmans’ “As I See It” column which bothers Mahathir during his minister ship. The shutting of The Star gave Tunku Abdul Rahman a great deal of pressure from The Star bosses which were pushing him to be less vocal in criticizing Mahathir and Musa Hitam; the two budak kanyar which Tunku hates to see inside UMNO. Tun prime concern at the moment; particularly 1987, was the subversive movement in somewhat transforming Malaysia into a ‘Malayless’ nation by somewhat quietly gathering academician, educationist, ethnic and opposition leaders and spark a revolt movement within densely populated area which Malay concentration was lacking to impose an effective resistance. Ops Lallang were initiated, the names like Karpal and Lim Kit Siang was swiftly taken into detention by bell-bottomed long sideburn policemen of the retro late 80’s. An old story, since Malays too were divided between the UMNO-Baru and another pro-Malay faction of Semangat46. But Tun did strike a good chord of progressive economy where booming of wealth at the time secured him the mandate to helm the government. The Chinese would not mind any mega-NEP initiative was taken, as long as their pot of wealth were not being encroached or disrupted.

It was funny for me to think again about the ‘campus politics’, which sees young blood around my age were angered by Mahathir actions, I totally mean Mahathir himself, not his administration; for approving the construction of Zouk ( I know…stop giggling! ). They even make a fuss about Datin Seri Hasmah, the wife of Tun, for not wearing tudung( veil ), despite claiming that Malaysia is an Islamic nation. Young university students which to some extent studies provision were given by the government were brainwashed to speak on Mahathir led BN refusal to enforce Hudud. They took out this and that dalils, surahs, and buktis. They even accused him as secular and firaun. Of course, he did not remain quiet; he call these people extremist, lunatic fringe, orthodox.

The political days of Tun Mahathir has over. His legacy were being slowly but recklessly dismantled by Pak Lah. We ponder, due what time another vocal leader will rise and do things which in near future, we’ll be telling it all over again with full of excitement to future generations. The hardship they had went through. Perhaps, that old man which we used to regard as firaun, kafir, jahil or secular are taking break by venturing into bread-making business. Look at that old man face, and count every wrinkle that he fought for anak bangsa. Perhaps, the sang-saka-bangsa is the being given to wrong leader, or is it a normality for politicians to backfire their successors. But surely it’s great to see one who lead sang saka bangsa has a clear objectivity rather having a leader which is lost. Perhaps, Dr. Mahathir can be deemed as a skema politician whom joined UMNO to fulfilling the party main purpose as the sang saka bangsa itself.

When Vivek the comedian from Chennai asked Tun Dr. Mahathir, what inspired him to do so well in many things, Tun simply answered non-verbatim: “ For the love of nation “

His fellow nationalist compatriots would be the late Suharto of Indonesia. Mahathir visit him as frequent as possible during his decline of health. There were sayings that Mahathir cried meeting him. I have read stories on Suharto. Perhaps, if not too much mixed reaction, Indonesia should have pride having a leader like Suharto. For fellow Malaysian, Suharto is the man who quelled the Konfrantasi+Ganyang Malaysia started by Sukarno.

Thank you for reading this post. I hope you enjoyed the all the four-part of Politicus series, apologize if there are any inaccuracies in my blog. Please do give a feedback or comments to make your share of mind heard. I wish all eligible Malaysian voters to vote wisely on the 8th March.

Part 3 - Zieglers, Danishes and Karins to Powerpuff Perlis

As the election is drawing closer, the Buletin Utama shows nothing but only BN gimmicks and ceramahs of those contesting here and there. We grew sick and tired of watching all these and I shall have a break for a while.

Lets us look back to the mid 1990’s when most of the 80’s baby wondering out there wearing Alien Workshop Belts and thought United Colours of Benetton was as cool as hell. There was no Astro then, and One Utama was as small as the old wing. And IKEA somewhat fitted inside that small building.

The free-to-air TV channels featured hosts that are purely Malay. Perhaps, the Information Minister back then ( the late Tun Ghafar Baba ) has imposed a rule which pretty much banned the involvement of mixed parentage models in hosting any documentary, news or talk shows. I’am not sure about films, but, the ruling were probably less-stringent for them. That is why we never heard or rarely find unique tongue twisting names such as Julia Ziegler, Nora Danish or Maya Karin .

Back then, the hottest girl-on-TV would probably be Normala Samsudin. Any nodding heads? If there were Internet, mainstream gossip-magazine, Myspace, and Zouk-ses and the likes of it, Normala Samsudin would probably be the most sought after face and body to be featured. It will sure gain a spinning head. There comes to a point where the former Buletin Utama anchorwomen Normala Samsudin were called as the prettiest Malay woman alive at the time. Following the footstep of Wan Zaleha Wan Radzi of classic Majalah3.

Now, the ban has been lifted, and we could see a sudden surge of Malay mixed-parentage, Eurasians, Seranis, Portuguese, Chindian and other kind and sort of mixture rising to fame. The decision to lift the ban is timely since Malaysia has become somewhat filled with exotic beauties and Malays has been very glokal ( Globally Local, should have asked Tok Jib ) where marriages occurred from different ethnic. Even, I heard there are Malays as far as Maldives. South Africa near the Cape areas and even to the extent of Portuguese itself.

Lets get back to Malaysia. At this moment, Normala has long quit long retired news casting, and nothing much were heard about her. But, surely, what we knew, Normala Samsudin is now known as Datin. A title earned by wifes of Datuk Sris, some sort of knighthood which is given to prominent, outstanding or powerful people by the favor of Kings or Yang Di-Pertua Negeri. She is married to Datuk Sri Azmi Khalid the minister of natural resources and environment ( by 2004 cabinet ). He is the man responsible for Malaysian greeneries, forestry and nature conservation matters.

How did he tackled Normala? That is something I don’t really get into. But Datuk Azmi Khalid remained like a kampong boy epitome to me. Like earlier mentioned, I professed that I’am a kampong boy myself. Datuk Khalid heed from Perlis, a small state at the northern tip of peninsula Malaysia. He contested for the parliamentary seat of Padang Besar. A constituent which exactly borders with Thailand. Care to bring your girlfriend to Padang Besar?

Try to bring an uptown girl of Damansara, Hartamas or Ampangs or any Zieglers, Danishes or Karins to Pekan Kangar or Arau and they will shriek about the nothingness there. No pun intended, but seriously, there are almost nothing in the state capital except for one or two hotels and few grocery shops. I’ve heard people stating that Alor Star would be dead silent at 10pm, while Kangar fell into silence at shocking 8pm! It would probably dinner hours for those Penang clubbers who has got to shower and making-up to dos. I attended some kenduris there too, and what people said seems to be correct.

Being the smallest state in Malaysia, Perlis is a quiet state which rarely we heard news coming out. Not much development going on there except the Menteri Besar Datuk Sri Shahidam Kassim making remarks and new rulings and polygamy lenience policy. A new star also spurned out of Perlis would be its controversial and non-conformist mufti ( state religion advisor ). Dr. Mohammad Asri Zainal Abidin. Young and outspoken, he is one of the mufti that played the same game but in different rules. He was regarded by PAS as someone who speak loud on government leash. Physical development are the stories that we rarely heard of Perlis.

But there are stories circulating in the air that the kampong boy who daringly tackled uptown girl like Normala Samsudin would replace the incumbent 20-years-and-going Perlis MB. Although, I may sound silly ( or perhaps cynical ), but I think it will be a cool idea. Datuk Azmi Khalid and Datin Normala would settle in Kangar. They would witness that the development there is too far lacking even to match that of Pekan Kuah in Langkawi. Perhaps, uptown girl Bandar Utama bound Datin Normala would pour in some noble idea which could transform Kangar into a fresher, youthful and very-much alive town. So, in later years, any Zieglers, Danishes or Karins who visited the state would be happier and smiling all the way while telling other uptown girls back in KL about how interesting is little Perlis; the tiara of Malaysia. Perlis shall be powerpuffed! Who knows.

Sadly, Shahidan Kassim will be holding his post as Perlis MB. Perlis shall be mothballed in the clout of boredom. Yet, anything can happen in politics. Be it the way Syed Razak of Kedah whom tirelessly wanted to put his favorite candidate as Kedah MB, only to be replaced by Mahazir Khalid. But the best way to whisper in his ear while he comfortably enjoys the comfy baby cot would be Perlis people voting him out. A big majority means a statement with exclamation marks.

Perlis is also a state which can never be taken lightly. PAS once pledged that if they had ruled the state, they shall demand a separation from Malaysia ( yes, Singapore 2.0 but without steelhead of Lim Kuan Yew ). They wanted to create a full Islam state complete with hudud and moral police making round checks to see whether mak ciks and kak ciks wear their tudungs. Seriously, this is quite daring ( taking into consideration that the news may be manipulated ). If this happens, the Zieglers, Danishes and Karins were far away from stepping in with their expensive shoes to this little state.

Do not forget, PAS also had their heavy guns in Perlis. Names like Ustaz Dr. Haron Din and Hashim Jasin shall make BN, UMNO in particular, to be more careful in placing candidates. PAS candidates could make a fiery roaring ceramah and quote from the holy kitabs which could make UMNO people pee in their pants and legs weak right on the stage.

The green flagged party shall refute UMNO stance in fighting for ethnic. Kenapa patut kita memperjuangkan agenda bangsa!? Bukankah bangsa Melayu sudah berkahwin sana sini, maka Melayu asli itu sudah pupus! ( Why should we fight for the Malay race? Pure Malay has extinct since they have married different ethnic ), this shall or perhaps be referred to the Zieglers, Danishes and Karins, as an exemplary that Malay has gone glokal. In a nutshell, which platform will we choose to fight first when both urges comes in the same time? On religion or race platform? A confusion that has plagued us ( since forever and shall be unsolved for another 100years ) which hindered us to move forward rapidly. Not good for health, since both fractions is going to avoid each other and some opportunist may exploit that crack sooner or later. We will be crying foul if it had happened.

I wondered when the Palestinians fought against the Israelis. Do they fight with a nationalist spirit to gain their home soil of an independent Palestinian state? Do they fight in the name of religion seeing jew as Islam sworn enemy? Or do they fight with a spirit of Arab as the vein archrival which bore the responsibility to suppress the Jew?

This PAS UMNO stance schism may last forever. Should we support ADIL instead? which fight for human rights and black-eyed ousted leader ? Simple. Tak banyak cerita.

Part 2 - Visionary Cronies

What will you do if you were involved in an accident along the ever-hectic LDP highway?

To be precise, the accident took place on the wee hours of the morning rush or the time when the blue collars were getting home after a stressful day. Of course, you will be making a scene which passer-by will slow down and gaze at you like you’re a gazelle in a zoo. Also, you’re not hitting any dumb concrete wall but another person car, and worst both cars had to be towed away.

I bet you will call your friends which were staying near-by which is proven to be useful to help you deal with the situation too.

Maybe this is naïve perception, but wouldn't this type of actions done by politicians too. What I’am implying here is that when politician were in the need to execute a development task or required some sort of detailed suggestion, they will call forth their cronies in order to get the job done. This is because; they are the ones familiar with these type of particular tasks. An instrument. PM knew their effectiveness and as well their ability to execute something. Without doubt, in modern world where people seek to gain easy money by cheating, back-stabbing or blackmailing; it is important to seek help from the people we trust. Just as if we were involved in an accident along LDP.

Back in the days when Dr. Mahathir was in the helm of government, people were making noises about his cronies’ policy. People thought that he is giving away easy money to these corporate people in return of sure win for the election run. Big names such as Robert Kwok, Syed Al-Bukhary and Tun Daim Zainuddin were the ones which are deemed as Mahathir’s tightest cronies. Well, IMHO, Tun himself cannot single handedly run a country and achieve what has credited to him today. The title of Bapa Pembangunan wouldn’t be there not because a set of cronies that Dr. Mahathir had.

Not to over-exaggerate the person that I admired, but Tun has utilized his cronies like a magician with its sparkling magic wand. With a neat black coat, clean white shirt underneath and red bow clinging near the neck, he cast a magic which spurned KLCC, Formula 1 tracks, KLIA and MSC which alluded our view from seeing the dark and ugly side of politics. Of course, Mahathir had to intervene lots of things which can be morally questionable. But we were filled with joy and pride. Marvel at these stuff. The love of our nation and the ‘Malaysia Boleh!’ slogan lauded here and there without stopping for bereavement. We were given a slice of paradise of what it could be amongst the best and well respected nation in the region perhaps the world.

But, not all of Mahathir cronies are good in executing his Wawasan 2020 notion. Eric Chua nearly crippled Perwaja steel. Our main steel processing company. We could just sell iron-ore to the mat-sallehs and get easy money, but what Perwaja did is turning these iron-ore into a value added products which sells at higher price. ( Just like we heard Singapore buying our kayu balak and made it into furniture and selling it back to us ). Venturing into steel industry needed real lots of money. We had to borrow from the Japanese (with interest, of course) to purchase those ore smelting machinery which costs bajillion of dollars. Perwaja , although, not reaching the magnitude of success brought by Petronas or Proton, still managed to create jobs and spurned a lot of Datuk Sris and orang kayas which daughter or son can have their own sports car and may be speeding off the LDP in their overgrown Gucci/DKNY/Guess/Ray-ban shades.

Bakun is one of the flopped Megaprojects which has turned into miniproject. Used to be one of possible largest dam in the world which may empower the whole Malaysia, including each pengkikir kelapa in Perlis till the disco lights bulbs of Johor ( possibly selling some AC/DC to Indonesia ). It has downgraded to supply hydroelectric to Borneo and later only to Sarawak needs. Who could guess which cropped area shall only benefit by Bakun next? Pity whoever Mahathirs’ crony handling this project. It was economic recession by then when this project began to stall and stun. Cough, cough and fell coma.

Today, no doubt, anyone who becomes the prime minister has a set-of-cronies in order to execute some significant task which requires lots of multi-spectral co-operation to be done smoothly and in controversially. Like the Kedahan famous utterance of: “ Buat bagi jadi, cukup “ ( Make it done, shall be enough ). A prime minister may get green-light from the cabinet. Total nod from the public but without cronies that are capable, thoughtful and daring, efforts can proved to be futile. All politicians with their agendas shall have cronies, if not; all their vowed promises during ceramahs and manifestos could be nothing but hot air.

Now, Malaysia has been experiencing what I called the lackluster in physical and economic development. Of course, when asked, Pak Lah cleverly answered that he is focusing on human development and capital. He ascertained that they should not be first class magnanimous futuristic city like Putrajaya and Cyberjaya filled with its citizen still chomping bubble gum and spitting it on the bus-stop waiting chair. As the saying goes: Third-class mentality, first class facility. He lauded to eradicate this third class mentality.

Still, after years, we could see the third class mentality is still very much alive. While our eyes were focused and hungry towards change, a good disease which Mahathir bought ( remember when we waited patiently for the Twin-Tower to finish to claim the highest tower and countdown to Commonwealth? ), now our eyes are definitely accustomed to see what changes brought by Pak Lah as PM. Have you seen anything yet? Perhaps we should give Pak Lah another 18 years, by then, it all will be visible.

Perhaps, the Pak Lahs’ sets-of-cronies really lacked in vision. They never envisioned anything great or fantastic as Mahathir cronies had. Yet, easy money were still given out to them ( thus, may bankrupt the nation as well ). Malays which were considered as privileged and given some perks had to fight amongst Malay to decide whoever deserved the perks. That’s ugly and sounded childish. Sometimes, it made me think that are Pak Lah cronies are those people that lepak at the kedai kopi and bragged about how Pak Lah should deservedly nominated as Bapa Pembangunan Modal Insan ?. Later, heed off with his BMW X5/Harrier/Muranos/Q7 to brag about the same matter to different kampungs.

Its not that difficult to imagine what type of Pak Lah cronies are. Clearly, we see KJ lauding the Mat Rempits as Mat Cemerlang. In his exhaustive effort to rebrand them by endorsing their polar jump,then Pak Lah seeks his advice. I guess by now, you’ll know what type of Pak Lah cronies are. If there is a Harvard educated Malay put side-by-side with a selekeh Malay with 4Mbps broadband connection with ‘people of higher-places’, the latter may be richer than the first. Plus, how often heavy crime occurred lately?

Oh well, if Malaysian were addicted to new and visible development, I guess Tun Dr. Mahathir shall be fully blamed for bringing this ‘bad’ habit to Malaysian citizen. But again, Tun was blamed for the wrong thing: He was blamed to strain the Malaysian budget with his Mejaprojects which costs Bajillion ringgits which restricted physical development today. A legacy problem.

The prospect BN will win a majority in coming election is somewhat there. But, granted, if Pak Lah wins another mandate as PM. Please, get some visionary cronies.

Finally, I would like to apologize if my definition of cronies are too shallow or sounded naïve. And apologies to those overgrown shades owners and BMW X5/Murano/Q7 owners. I wasn’t implying you to those mentioned above people, just a dramatized exemplary.

Part 1 - PAS for Kedah

Its not hard to imagine…

This state has been second strong bastion of PAS after Kelantan. Some of strong PAS hardliners, old-timers and outshiners has been contesting in Kedah for some reason. Perhaps being part of the Malay-belt states proven to be the playing grounds of the Islamic-centric party itself. The numbers of parliamentary seats here are even more than that of Kelantan ( 14 seats ) or Terengganu ( 8 seats ) which are more vast in-terms of geographical area.

The prospect of Kedah under PAS is not to be clearly seen. Perhaps we can expect the normal thing they would do such as segregated male-female counters, gender-separated stadiums, no-da-ma-cai, moral police force and no-more-concerts ( come to an extent Mawi-only concert ). The presence of PAS in Kedah is very strong and clear. Each election season, tall poles were placed in the kampungs, masjids, madrasah and even pecan kecil’s. Come to a point, a rock hill was carved with PAS insignia, the locals called it bukit PAS. The ceramahs were running all year round even not during the election season. They will always be somebody from the party which will deliver speech brewing with hottest political issue and offering a vivid picture of the paddy state if it falls under PAS rule. The people will be roaring and shouting with agreement which made you felt like its election time. Mind you, clapping is forbidden in Islamic-related event. Since PAS is tightly synonymous with Islam, so no clapping on its occasion.

Now, that the election fever has swarmed, PAS shall be gearing up its preparation for the tip of the battle. PAS has sets its target to maintain Kelantan, re-take Terengganu ( which was lost in 2004) and takeover Kedah. A realistic aim since the former two states has been successfully held by them before. The aim can be lots more possible, since its been in the air lately that the ruling party under Pak Lah has been too sloppy and lackluster in economic development. Yet, this doubt cannot fuel the possibility of handling over Kedah to PAS. Malay is an ethnic that has loyalty as its fundamental values, which cannot be swayed easily by fiery speech of political wisdom. So, this makes the battle for Kedah interesting and dangle the hope to 50/50 between the ethno-centric UMNO and Islamic-centric PAS

PAS on-going effort to take over Kedah has been furious and real. Not only the political rally were enormous, not just the gathering were always held and thousand of PAS flag waving under the Kedahan sunrise, but the candidate being put here are among the top guns. Like nuclear bombs to an arsenal of weapons. The harshest and the hardheads were put forth. Looking at previous elections, We can see PAS putting our sasterawan Shahnon Ahmad ( who wrote the novel SHIT, and sparkled my interest in Malay literature ) contesting for his birthplace of Sik. PAS own ketua penerangan ( ala propaganda minister ), Mahfuz Omar were put to contest in Pokok Sena. PAS late president, Ustaz Fadzil Noor was contesting in Anak Bukit ( a royal place of Kedah, it’s where the istana is located- do you think the Sultan favored PAS ? ), his successor maintained the seat. The vocal Mat Sabu who was captured and questioned during Bersih rally were contesting in Kuala Kedah, the place where you get your boats to Langkawi for your joyous trip.

Do not forget, even KeAdilan has placed its number two ( the vice-president ) to contest in Kubang Rotan pitting against Syed Razak Syed Zain. The list goes on as PAS own vice-president ‘hip-hopping’ Nasharudin Mat Isa is fixing its bayonet to get the Jerai seat. Only Karpal Singh of DAP is being calculative about taking risk here. Do note that Karpal Singh once contested in the Kota Setar seat and lost (1969 perhaps? ). Maybe the 12^th election his return to Kedah? The heavy gunners of every party has sets its sight on an alliance to rule Kedah, yet, so far the possibility laid on these two party: UMNO and PAS.

News had come that Mukhriz Mahathir will be contesting the parliamentary seat of Jerlun in the upcoming election. It’s his first foray or muka baru. The fact that he is Tun Dr. Mahathir son would not guarantee his winning. But, I do wish him luck. Ironically, Jerlun is Kubang Pasu neighbor on the west. Kubang Pasu is where his father contested before.

The closest PAS went to rule Kedah was in 1999, when the Reformasi issue was still as hot as rotiboy. Yet, as long as PAS have not laid its hands on Kedah, the incumbent majority seat holders will never learn its mistake, becomes too comfortable, forgotten to improvise the way that they should serve the people here. And, perhaps we should reconsider the vote that shall be cast in the upcoming election. Look at Terengganu which falls under PAS rule in 1999 election. In the next election 2004, BN has re-taken the state and look what Idris Jusoh has done within a single 5-year ( actually less ) mandate. Something real has taken place there.

Perhaps we should see Kedah falls under PAS for a short while. A term or two till the BN sides might formulate working manifestos that may satisfy the Kedahan hunger for something real and progressive.

The Mandatory

The car cabin has been among the most fabulous spot to snap a self portrait. Yes, you may get the picture by this moment. Frankly, not a lot of pose can be made inside the crammed cockpit of a vehicle. Neither not much of a catwalk runways on the other three seats ( or five seats for MPVs) , plus, there are limited backgrounds. yet, youngsters do love to self-potrait themselves on these type of situation. Do make a new tab for the social utility profile and browse the list of your friends which may have feature these type of profile pics. I bet, you will instantly find them. If I ‘am lucky, you might be the one I’m telling. And yes, I do it too.

Cars during the pre-independence Kedah were like Ferraris in sub-urbans. In places like Jitra, Kodiang, Sik and Changlun which tarred road were virtually unnecessary for that time, having a four wheeled motor vehicle roaring on the small pathway on the vast flatlands carpeted with paddy field were like being the most privileged and only the rich and royalties could afford such a fancy item. My dad said only district officers who have the chance to put their shoe sole on the pedal.

Allah blesses Malaysia. Over 50 years of independence, we have improved the life quality of the citizens. The once superior mat sallehs were shocked to see little, dark Asian men from Malaysia purchased their heavy weight companies such as Sime Darby, Guthrie and Boustead. Years after that we went on to create motor company like Proton and Perodua. Now vehicles has become somewhat affordable. The image of car as something that can only be owned by the rich has been shed away. Having a car is no more a status index for the society. Kids nowadays ( excluding mat rempits ) used motor vehicles as play items nowadays, with minor non-life-threatening accidents were made as a blog entry with a humor tone accompanied with plenty LOL’s.

Cars has became sort of hobby item nowadays which is being purchase without a long, deep and calculative considerations. Sometimes, a single visit to the car dealer, a purchase was made. Once I read in a newspaper in which a women visits a car showroom with her aunt on some lazy weekend drive around in the city. She saw a Peugeot 206 and fell in love with it, so she immediately booked a piece of it. Later, the aunt couldn’t agree more and placed a book too. Is that a coincidence!? Buying a car has become similar to going to pasar tani.

A plethora of vehicle available here not only varies in colours, litres and options. There are subcategories such as B-Segment, C-Segments and the list goes on. There are 7-Seaters or MPVs like Naza Ria to carry children to school. Compacts for young people ( which is also a great fuel savers and parking swifters ), sedans like the Camry/Accord for medium families, Pick-ups for rough-rider workaholics who think their vehicle looks smarter with the spud, wet-soil spots. SUV for frequent traveler. Most of all, my favourite, is a van; like Proton Juara, a champion in all dimension ( if u start giggling, you should know my intimate affair with Juara ). Each Malaysian family either has either combination of these or two of the same kind. Depends on whichever that could cater their needs best.

If you are living in a housing estate, take a jog around the neighbourhood. It has been a common sight where a house spots multiple vehicle. And, perhaps, you may stumble vehicles that were parked on the side of the road. On the end-lots. Near the communal field, on the field, on the badminton court of the field, near the fire hydrant, under a huge perbandaran-planted trees and so on. Not that the car owners were trying to flaunt their expensive vehicle to the public, but it’s the limited parking space offered by the developers which hinders the car to be parked within the housing compound.

Housing developers nowadays should be generous enough to provide parking space for at least two vehicle. Whichever way, parked side by side or bumper to bumper, the ample space shall give less headache towards the owner. Instead of boasting about having air-conditioner pre-installed or whatever club house facilities provided for a minimal fee whatsoever, the rising number of vehicle in Malaysia should not be taken lightly.

Yet, people still purchase houses with limited parking space due to the scarse availability of homes in town areas. Take a look in PJ, where property appreciation is on high. Any township there thrive like beans on wet towels. And properties were selling like hot cakes or hot rotiboy. Citizens just bought the properties due to accessibility that were provided ( close to highways, close to office and hypermarkets etc. etc. ) and had to settle for single-car parking bay houses.

Developers, perhaps, knew this. The selling factor for their products were the strategically located area. They, tends to outstretch the numbers of houses that could possibly be constructed on a single hectare. The more, the merrier. It all boils down to businesslah. Don’t mind if the parking bay may only fit a single car. Perhaps they might regard a car as a kancil so they can gain more lands and reduce the length.

But sometimes, it all boils down to a small favor of social responsibility in which some developer successfully in doing it. No matter how high the sales may yield, this type of developers seems to understand the situation and decided to include an ample parking space for future-homeowners. They put it in their pamphlets as an attraction which could be a possible sale earner. Or perhaps, they should not boast it after all. It all comes standard to all house models. No matter it’s a low-end model or elite model.

Since multiple car have become some sort of standard to every household in Malaysia, then housing law should make it mandatory for developers to include at least a two car parking bay allowance. By then, although not solely ( as some may argue to this suggestion ), problems such as stolen vehicle, vandalized vehicle, vehicle break-ins and stolen tyres shall be eradicated or reduced. And I shall jog in almost vehicle-free road.