Another Pakatan Supporter Seeing The Light of Day.
By Jason Tan Tjx - a facebook acquaintance. Many more youngsters who had matured in their political worldview are making the right decisions courageously. I am surprised and please to receive this confession today. Shen Yee Aun another staunch Dap member and supporter who was a top Malay debater had also contributed articles to my blog upon seeing the Light of Day.
Chinese: Never too late to return to the fold
As the 13th general election loom large, both the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat had upped their game to a whole new level, in order to win over the hearts of the electorate. Some view Pakatan Rakyat as a viable coalition to take our Putrajaya, citing corruption and inequality as the stumbling blocks of BN to effectively govern the country.
One of the major reasons why Pakatan Rakyat gained significant inroads in the previous election was due to the sudden swing of Chinese and urban voters towards the opposition. What most of them dint realize back then was the incompatibility and differences among the coalition parties in Pakatan Rakyat. They were blinded by the prospects of PR governing the country, after being promised the skies, moons and what not.
The fairytale of Pakatan Rakyat dated back to 1999, when PAS and DAP spearheaded the then-Barisan Alternatif, together with a Anwar-less PKR. The coalition gained significant inroads in the Malay heartland, thus sweeping the prized state rule in Kelantan and Terengganu. It was a matter of time that the coalition would crack, and ultimately it did in 2001 when DAP cut all ties with the Islamic party. The reason is simple. DAPs ideology was to maintain the status quo of secularism while PAS had been pushing for the implementation of hudud and ultimately turning Malaysia into an Islamic state. 2 parties with ideologies stretching from one end to another end of a spectrum are bound for failure.
Interestingly, the divorced couple reunited a decade later. The difference this time around is the existence of th! e most c onvincing mediator on planet: Anwar Ibrahim. Infact, mediator is an understatement, for the tight-knit bond he managed to create between the 2 parties out of nothing. Instead, the something, was the Pakatan Rakyat common policy framework and most recently, the Buku Jingga. The contents, however, are no more than reforms currently being pushed by Prime Minister, Najib Razak.
Yet, Pakatan Rakyat never dealt with the Islamic state and Hudud issue in the Common Framework or Buku Jinnga as if the issue had been buried. Most recently, and inevitably, the issue resurfaced. Anwar Ibrahim, with a part of his mind on the Malay voters, called for Hudud to be implemented in Kelantan. This claim was immediately backed by Nik Aziz, the spiritual leader of PAS. Many saw this coming, despite PAS declaring that it is abandoning its Islamic state stance during its General Assembly recently. It was also a matter of time when PAS unleashes its true inner self of championing Hudud and Islamic laws, and this was proven by Nik Azizs statement. In fact, they are ready to ditch DAP and Karpal Singhs over-my-dead-body. All of a sudden, DAP was caught in the dark. Abandoning the coalition was never an option for the secular party, because of their zealousness to take over Putrajaya. Silence and gag-orders immediately followed, as DAP leaders dismissed the issue in the most convenient way. Long gone are their principles of equality and secularism, as the quest to defeat Barisan Nasional in the upcoming elections totally blinded their vision. It was also dj-vu for DAP, as they turn running-dogs for PAS and PKR, after labeling MCA as one to UMNO for the past few decades.
On the Barisan Nasional front, mixed views about Hudud were being heard, most notably, Muyhiddins support for its implementation. This initially brought tremors across the BN faithfuls, but Najib stepped up and cleared all dusts by announcing that Hudud and Islamic laws will never be implemented by the ruling coalition. This view was shared by MCA a! nd Gerak an leaders, who had been vocal in calling out against its implementation for decades. Knowing that such laws would disrupt peace and harmony of a multi-racial country, Najib turned his back on Hudud despite knowing that it would disappoint rightists and ultras within the country, and ultimately causing the lose of votes. Yet, he established his slogan as Prime Minister for all in convincing fashion with this declaration and certainly stamped his mark as a brave Prime Minister who adheres to principles of 1Malaysia. Coupled with the proposals for the abolition of Internal Security Act, Emergency Ordinances, and also the review of Printing Presses and Publication Act, he is one who walks the talk and is eager to transform Malaysia into a democratic country. Such reforms take massive will and courage and he certainly deserve applause from all Malaysians.
However, many might still dismiss the reforms as political gimmicks, but to tell the truth, real political gimmicks are those who champion Welfare State one second, and Islamic State on the other. Real political gimmicks are also when you promise the Chinese and Indians one thing, and to the Malays another, a skill honed to perfection and precision by Prime-Minister-in- waiting, Anwar Ibrahim. If you are one to believe and insist to live by the realms of fantasy that Pakatan Rakyat will be the most holy government and PAS will work together with DAP without any qualms or conflicts, time will only prove u wrong.
Therefore, urban and Chinese voters MUST reconsider their position and stand in todays modern world. Are you ready to be governed by the yet-to-be-unleashed beast of PAS, or you are contented with the status quo of secularism. Ballot papers are in your hands, therefore, it is not too late to make a late switch and turn back to a established party who are willing to change. With that, quoting Pete Teo, Undilah!
* The writer used to be a staunch PR supporter and BN critic himself, but realization and logic took over, and th! us revea ling the real flaws of a tender coalition.
Jason Tan
Chinese: Never too late to return to the fold
As the 13th general election loom large, both the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat had upped their game to a whole new level, in order to win over the hearts of the electorate. Some view Pakatan Rakyat as a viable coalition to take our Putrajaya, citing corruption and inequality as the stumbling blocks of BN to effectively govern the country.
One of the major reasons why Pakatan Rakyat gained significant inroads in the previous election was due to the sudden swing of Chinese and urban voters towards the opposition. What most of them dint realize back then was the incompatibility and differences among the coalition parties in Pakatan Rakyat. They were blinded by the prospects of PR governing the country, after being promised the skies, moons and what not.
The fairytale of Pakatan Rakyat dated back to 1999, when PAS and DAP spearheaded the then-Barisan Alternatif, together with a Anwar-less PKR. The coalition gained significant inroads in the Malay heartland, thus sweeping the prized state rule in Kelantan and Terengganu. It was a matter of time that the coalition would crack, and ultimately it did in 2001 when DAP cut all ties with the Islamic party. The reason is simple. DAPs ideology was to maintain the status quo of secularism while PAS had been pushing for the implementation of hudud and ultimately turning Malaysia into an Islamic state. 2 parties with ideologies stretching from one end to another end of a spectrum are bound for failure.
Interestingly, the divorced couple reunited a decade later. The difference this time around is the existence of th! e most c onvincing mediator on planet: Anwar Ibrahim. Infact, mediator is an understatement, for the tight-knit bond he managed to create between the 2 parties out of nothing. Instead, the something, was the Pakatan Rakyat common policy framework and most recently, the Buku Jingga. The contents, however, are no more than reforms currently being pushed by Prime Minister, Najib Razak.
Yet, Pakatan Rakyat never dealt with the Islamic state and Hudud issue in the Common Framework or Buku Jinnga as if the issue had been buried. Most recently, and inevitably, the issue resurfaced. Anwar Ibrahim, with a part of his mind on the Malay voters, called for Hudud to be implemented in Kelantan. This claim was immediately backed by Nik Aziz, the spiritual leader of PAS. Many saw this coming, despite PAS declaring that it is abandoning its Islamic state stance during its General Assembly recently. It was also a matter of time when PAS unleashes its true inner self of championing Hudud and Islamic laws, and this was proven by Nik Azizs statement. In fact, they are ready to ditch DAP and Karpal Singhs over-my-dead-body. All of a sudden, DAP was caught in the dark. Abandoning the coalition was never an option for the secular party, because of their zealousness to take over Putrajaya. Silence and gag-orders immediately followed, as DAP leaders dismissed the issue in the most convenient way. Long gone are their principles of equality and secularism, as the quest to defeat Barisan Nasional in the upcoming elections totally blinded their vision. It was also dj-vu for DAP, as they turn running-dogs for PAS and PKR, after labeling MCA as one to UMNO for the past few decades.
On the Barisan Nasional front, mixed views about Hudud were being heard, most notably, Muyhiddins support for its implementation. This initially brought tremors across the BN faithfuls, but Najib stepped up and cleared all dusts by announcing that Hudud and Islamic laws will never be implemented by the ruling coalition. This view was shared by MCA a! nd Gerak an leaders, who had been vocal in calling out against its implementation for decades. Knowing that such laws would disrupt peace and harmony of a multi-racial country, Najib turned his back on Hudud despite knowing that it would disappoint rightists and ultras within the country, and ultimately causing the lose of votes. Yet, he established his slogan as Prime Minister for all in convincing fashion with this declaration and certainly stamped his mark as a brave Prime Minister who adheres to principles of 1Malaysia. Coupled with the proposals for the abolition of Internal Security Act, Emergency Ordinances, and also the review of Printing Presses and Publication Act, he is one who walks the talk and is eager to transform Malaysia into a democratic country. Such reforms take massive will and courage and he certainly deserve applause from all Malaysians.
However, many might still dismiss the reforms as political gimmicks, but to tell the truth, real political gimmicks are those who champion Welfare State one second, and Islamic State on the other. Real political gimmicks are also when you promise the Chinese and Indians one thing, and to the Malays another, a skill honed to perfection and precision by Prime-Minister-in- waiting, Anwar Ibrahim. If you are one to believe and insist to live by the realms of fantasy that Pakatan Rakyat will be the most holy government and PAS will work together with DAP without any qualms or conflicts, time will only prove u wrong.
Therefore, urban and Chinese voters MUST reconsider their position and stand in todays modern world. Are you ready to be governed by the yet-to-be-unleashed beast of PAS, or you are contented with the status quo of secularism. Ballot papers are in your hands, therefore, it is not too late to make a late switch and turn back to a established party who are willing to change. With that, quoting Pete Teo, Undilah!
* The writer used to be a staunch PR supporter and BN critic himself, but realization and logic took over, and th! us revea ling the real flaws of a tender coalition.
Jason Tan
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