Last week the Penanti state assembly seat in Penang was declared vacant by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) through a faxed statement to the media. The statement said that the incumbent to the seat Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin has resigned as ADUN. The statement was actually a letter by Fairus himself declaring the seat vacant. The Election Commission had also come out to say that by-election date for the seat would be announced on Friday.
However, there was a sudden announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak stating that the BN might not contest the seat. While I have to accept the Barisan Nasional top leadership's decision on the matter, I personally feel that the seat should be contested by the ruling coalition.
Although it could be a waste of public funds and playing into the hands of the political shadow play of the PKR, the BN should and must not forsake the thousands of voters in the constituency, who had faithfully voted the BN in the past.
In the five by-elections we have seen so far, the BN cannot be pushed aside as it too had garnered a good number of voters. The contest has always been close, with the opposition not winning more than 3,000 votes.
Although the opposition won four of the five by-elections, the BN too had shown it still had support of the people although it was not the majority. The traditional BN voters should not be let down. In the by-elections so far, none of BN candidates lost their deposits or fared really bad. This shows that the BN is in the hearts and mind of many people, though they are not the majority. So, why let these people down by not contesting? I feel, apart from this reason, there was many other reasons why the BN should contest the seat.
We should also respect the democratic process, which the BN had propounded again and again in the past. What the ruling coalition should do is to amend the current election laws, so that political parties do not abuse democracy through resignation of elected representatives. This would be better than snubbing any by-election.
Thank you for your attention.
p/s: Many will say no need to contest because BN is going to lose anyway. For me that's a lame excuse. Nothing is certain until you go to the ballots!
The Projek SAMA Public Opinion Survey on Ethnic Relations in West Malaysia
found that:- “Majority wanted respect for Islam and respect for
multiculturalism...
1 day ago
16 comments:
Greetings Dato',
i do hope that you are keeping well sir. i had in fact posted a short message at the MIclub prior to the PM's announcement seeking a boycott of the by-elections. i was of the opinion that the electorate needs to boycott the elections to indicate that wastage of public funds should not be tolerated under any guise or reasoning. Dato,Lest we forget, society is bigger then the wants of politicians and their need for popular support. the sad truth is that politicians have lost the true purpose for their existence. it is not to test their popularity but to serve the need of the civil society. trust you will see the need to avoid unnecessary contest during this trying times.
Know what would be truly interesting?
An account of the amount of public funds that BN has spent in all the by-elections to help canvas support for itself.
Seems as though their 'goodie distribution' fund might be running low, what with everyone taking the goodies and still voting as their conscience dictates.
-Vish.
Message for MIC President
Before you continue with your views about Penanti, which Dr M also is keen on - despite Najib telling that its not wise, it is high time you did a reality check on your own behaviour all these years.
What kind of democracy did you allow in MIC all these years?
When you pitted Palanivel against Dato Subra, you did not allow for a clean fight but went about campaigning openly for Palanivel. But look at your relationship with Palanivelu now? Honeymoon over?
This is not the first time you behaved like this?
Others who suffered like this are -Govindarajoo, Vigneswaran, Muthupalaniappan, Pandithan and the list goes on. Support them to get rid of another and then get rid of them as well.
The funny thing is, you will give the impression that you have patched up with such people LATER, but they do not know that this is your cunning way of befriending them and then finishing them off for ever.
All because, you do not want any challenge to your position in the party.
How long more you want to hold on to the position?
Your party does not even represent the majority Malaysian Indians.
Look at the increasing numbers in PAS supporters club, DAP, PKR and PPP.
And what about UMNO? The mamaks just change identity from Indian Muslim to Malay and they are accepted in UMNO.
And you are still dreaming that even your own MIC members will be voting for Barisan or for that matter MIC specifically?
Sorry, you are very mistaken.
Your own members have let down BN because of you and you in particular, at the way you select candidates to stand in elections, appoint in local councils, appoint as senators and even appoint to be on the board of GLCs and other organisations where MIC is given an opportunity.
And even if you let them have a go in these places, you still insist on overall control - you do not encourage creativity if it does not factor you in the initiative.
Look at the PA to Human Resources Minister now. Your former staff? Why? To report to you on all that the Minister is doing?
Even when you were busy planting hair on your head in Perth, you wanted every statement to be in your name or to have your name mentioned as though the thing was all due to your involvement.
See how false things have been like your hair?
If it was actually your effort in every small thing that went to the Indians in Malaysia, why are they so unhappy with you now?
You have a very stupid way of looking at things.
In your MIC assemblies you gloat when the BN leaders sing praises of you, saying that you have done a lot for the Indians. The same thing happens when its time for general elections.
And you get carried away and go around telling your members that you have soild support of the BN leadership.
The true test of leadership, if ever you still command such thing in your party, is to sincerely nurture proper succession plans when you are riding high. That was in the 1990s. But you did not let such things happen. Because you tasted power and want to hold on to it you are cremeated.
You still have a chance to show such gentlemanly behaviour in this aspect, as you are going downhill like now. But you are stubborn - thick skinned, worse than a buffalo or an elephant.
You will never give up your President's post.
Remember, you are now a spent force.
And look at the following that haunts you till this very day.
a. School land in Damansara now in your name!
b. MIC University in your name, is riddled with problems.
c. You take revenge on Chitrakala who reports about irregularities in MIED.
d. Your lobbying with Indians to get funds for MAIKKA Holdings has turned sour. And you are claiming no responsibility and not taking initiatives to return the monies to the people who contributed.
e. Your son, who already has been questioned on the many irregularities involving Sujatha's death and MAIKKA holdings, is now holding a key position in MIC - bypassing so many other eligible members. Where did this position surface? Why no chance for others who have been serving the party for many years?
f. Why did you orchestrate the demise of IPF? If you had left them alone, they could have sorted out the matter themselves.
g. Why no Hotel yet in the land adjacent to the present MIC HQ in K.L? Under whose name is the land now?
h. Where is your elected reps KPI for the Malaysian Indians to see? You only prefer to have fancy statements and come out with claims that they are answerable to MIC members only, but at the same time go around bragging that you and your party represent ALL the Indians! So far, your elected reps KPIs after 8 March 2008 - any significant achievements that the community should be proud of?
i. Remember you were so proud to have forced the resignation of a DAP state assembly rep in Penang and then won that seat for BN? Now how many seats does MIC have in Penang? See how the cycle come back to you?
j. When two HINDRAF reps were released from ISA, you quickly claimed credit. But no squeak after that when these two were put under restricted conditions. You do not want to take credit for this? So, in the first place the release was because of MIC's request? Is this not very stupid of your thinking? Hurriedly trying to take credit, but when it is not in your favour - you come up other things to distract people's attention.
k. You stand in the HINDRAF issue itself is a laughing matter. In 2007 you condemned them, After losing in the 2008 elections, you ask the government to release them. In between put statements in your family paper that the wives of the detainees had pleaded with you for their release. That was real bull shit because the wives later gave out statements that they did not ask you such things.
l. By the way, any more new Tamil schools being build in this country as a result of MIC's initiative?
I am not asking about new buildings for existing Tamil schools.
What I mean is really new schools that make up for an INCREASE in the number of Tamil schools in the country - if thats the only way to make you understand.
Example (example only - not actual) , if there were 100 Tamil schools a few years ago, has there been a increase in terms of new schools where the sum total of existing plus new schools shows an increase by more than 100?)
So what is the policy of the BN on this matter, where your MIC is the '3rd largest partner'?
You will not answer this - because you even strangle the existing schools out of existence.
Look at the land in Damansara that was for a school but now under your name. Your party secretary said it was a mistake for it to be in your name, but what has happended after that? Was this rectified? If it had been, it would still be in the MICs name - but not returned to the school. Right? And you are the champion of Tamil schools in Malaysia, doing such things?
With all these bull shit not cleared, you want a senator's post?
And when you do not get it, distract people's attention that MIC was not given an important ministry?
Did you also ask for your son to be appointed as senator and be given a government position that was refused by the PM?
(If you thought this could be done and your son can escape from the Sujatha's death enquiry and MAIKKA issue, sorry it does not work that way - at least for the party that is under your leadership).
Your son was trying to interfere in Kugan's post mortem case lately? It should have been consistent from the day Kugan was taken alive into police custody.
Why is he not showing same concern for Sujatha's death abut keeping very low profile?
Its clear - you are not sincere and have nurtured a son who is exactly following your footsteps while fooling all the Indians in thsi country.
The only way to repent is undo all the constraints you and your son have 'slapped' on this community.
Return the MAIKKA holdings funds to the investors with proper interest. Perhaps at least three times what they originally invested . Do it now, before your loot stacked away becomes someone elses property.
Hand over the party to the next in line. Let them manage the party from now on with the rest to set a new dynamic direction.
Dear Datuk,
Could you please request the authorities to publish details of the security expenses amounting to millions of Ringgit, involved in each of the by-elections.
As a peace abiding citizen, I cannot accept that such large amounts had to be spent for security in each of these constituencies. With all due respects, the average Malaysian is too skeptical to accept the published figures as genuine expenditure. We think it may be more of an over-kill, wastefull and intimidating show of force by the federal authorities
Vyasam, I am sorry to have left out the Malayalee New Year in the new year message. Please accept my deepest apology. Will bear this in mind next year. Thank you.
Hello Deputy Minister,
Get real and attend to basic needs of Indians in the country.
There is this woman trying to fight to retain her three children in the Hindu faith, and a committe with MIC rep is still dragging its feet.
Imagine how Hindraf will react?
Is this also not the kind of issues that brought the downfall of MIC in the elections last year?
Why when it comes to Indians, faith matters, you have the MIC dragging its feet? Did Samy Vellu lift up the phone and speak to the Cabinet Minister who is charge of such government institutions that should be more considerate over such 'unauthorised. conversations?
How about talking to the Education Ministry guy on why the school is trying to force the issue down the throat of a student who is sitting for her exam?
Your MIC rebranding - where is Puteri/Wanita MIC that should be identifying and helping such single mothers so that the children coninue to have faith and hope in their freedom of worship?
What on earth is happening?
MIC has opportunities to show genuine concern, but its so disgusting that the so-called party claiming to represent Indians' interest is not acting fast and nipping the problem in the initial stages.
And your handling of Hindu temples relocation in Kuala Lumpur is also being disputed by the Hindu Sangam.
Did you, out of respect, engage the Hindu Sangam first for their views as well?
Or you are just issuing a political statement after the hardcore and pro-BN civil service DBKL made its unilateral decision?
Go and look at the 'new' masjid/surau opposite Methodist Girls School in Brickfields.
The school existed well before the masjid/surau. If you want, check again to confirm.
It has been funded and rebuilt by all the various government authorities, in the same previous squatter area - again, opposite the 'Methodist' school IN A VERY SHORT TIME.
The point is - for masjids/suraus, it is Ok if they are just in front of schools, where the schools existed first, before the surau/masjid?
What is the so called big relocation plan of the Hindu temples?
They have to rebuild it
a. over a period of a few years, using their own money and
b. along the way, have to overcome the many obstacles of government approvals, sensitivities of people of other faiths
c. kow tow to political interference from MIC as well that wants to have cheap publicity?
Are you making it easy for Hindus in KL or making sure discretely that they embrace other faiths?
Get real.
Get down to basic works.
No use being in a ruling coalition, where the civil servants are brainwashed to ingnore sensitivities of the minorities. The standard of civil servants now, is so disgusting. They do not have any respect for sensitivities of the minorities.
It is so easy for them to 'refer to higher authorities' for guidance, claim ignorance of the needs of minorities, and humiliate minorities when they go do government departments by putting more obstacles than solutions to these people who are also tax payers.
This have never changed, Mr Deputy Minister.
At this rate, the 1Malaysia concept is going to be just 1Race and 1Religion and nothing more.
Do agree with some of the comments. Datuk you are in MIC CWC. You should voice for changes. People have been asking for changes but you are so fearful for changes to happen. Datuk, please let DSSV know, we Indians appreciate what he has done, but now we want newer things. He is with his old fashioned way and mind-set. Datuk, there is capable guys in MIC and thats the reason why you and the rest survived the "Political Tsunami". Datuk we want change to happen at the national level. Please propose for change. Its ok whether you or Dr. Subra or Datuk Sothi or Datuk S.K. Devamany or even the younger capable ones like P.Kamalanathan and Murugesan to take over the lead in MIC. Just see whether people like Kamalanathan given the recognition for his hardwork done. He travels north to south, but what happens? He is being gloomed under by the seniors in MIC. So how Datuk young leaders can come up. You guys in MIC dont even support them financially nor moral support!!! I think Datuk, its time that MIC change before its irrelevant. I just dont understand what has Usha Nandhini done, but she is being given the senator post and the best part was proposed for a Deputy Minister as an additional cabinet minister. HUH wake up!!! What has she done??? Is she being effective like Putera MIC??? I think Puteri is just as useless. I just wonder have they fulfilled their Objectives which is their direct KPI's. Datuk is worthless for you to have a blog if you dont take up what the people have to say. Datuk look back. I think only deserving people should get the positions. CHANGE BEFORE WE BEING CHANGED IN THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION!!! No point waiting next term. Tell that to DSSV. Next term is General Election and if DSSV is still around, I think most of the youth in MIC is going to jump ship and Datuk YOU will be directly affected. DSSV will relax and see the FUN. Think Datuk, you are still young and you should be helming the presidency not this term, maybe the next or in the future. CHANGE DATUK.
Ok, read the following two articles and see what the EC is up to.
The evil forces were still hopeful that they can get Fairus to withdraw his resignation. But he did not and today it is reported that the MACC has cleared him of corruption!
Remember, the PM cast the first die by saying that the by-election is not a good idea and that Bn may not contest?
All he needed was to say this famous quote and the campaign masters and schemers have started to work towards meeting the objective.
Lets eee what the Ec is going to come up with next week.
The evil forces will continue scheming. They never stop.
And GOD also never stops - watching the tricks of the evil forces.
-------------------
1ST DECISION
EC meets on 22 April on Penanti vacancy
PUTRAJAYA, 17 April 2009: The Election Commission (EC) will meet on 22 April to determine the vacancy of the Penanti state assembly seat and the need for a by-election.
EC Chairperson Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, when contacted today, said the commission would announce on 24 April the status of the state assembly seat and the date for the by-election if a vacancy occurred.
He said the Penang Election Director had received a notice of the vacancy for the seat from the Penang state assembly speaker today and the notice had been faxed to the EC Headquarters this morning.
The incumbent state assemblyperson, Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, who was also the former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, had announced his resignation as the Penanti assemblyperson yesterday.
Mohammad Fairus, 32, said the decision was made to enable him to concentrate fully on his post-graduate study besides clearing his name following the various allegations against him. He is currently under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) for alleged malpractices involving a quarry, and resigned as the Penang Deputy Chief Minister I and chairperson of the State Committee on Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development, Information and Community Relations effective 8 April.
Abdul Aziz said the original notice of vacancy and the resignation letter as Penanti state assemblyperson would be brought to the EC Headquarters, here on 20 April.
He said the EC needed time to study in detail the vacancy and all aspects on the by-election before making an announcement.
He said the meeting on 22 April would also look into ways of avoiding too many party supporters acting as canvassers on polling day.
"The last by-elections had shown that too many canvassers had posed problems such as harassing the voters and causing traffic congestion at the polling centres," he said. — Bernama
THE UPDATE TODAY
EC: Status of Penanti seat on 27 April
PUTRAJAYA, 22 April 2009: Election Commission (EC) chairperson Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof will announce the status of the Penanti state seat on 27 April.
Public relations officer Sabri Said said Abdul Aziz would make the announcement at a media conference at EC headquarters here on 27 April at 10am.
"The media conference has been switched from Friday to Monday. EC which met today discussed the status of the Penanti state seat in Penang," he said in a statement here today.
Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, 33, of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) resigned as Penanti state assemblyman on 16 April.
Fairus who was investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had also resigned as Penang Deputy Chief Minister I. — Bernama
Some developments on the Penanti case, for the benefit of honest people in the MIC and the Indians in general.
See how the EC is following the dictates of its political masters.
This is what happens when the courts decide that the Speaker of an elected assembly has no powers to declare that a vacancy exists in that assembly even if an ADUN/MP tenders a letter of resignation.
The courts said that this is the job for the Elections Commission.
In other commonwealth countries, it is the speaker who declares and tells the EC to just conduct the elections. Look at India - the world's largest democracy and how the EC does its job.
In the Penanti situation, the evil forces are still hopeful that they can get Fairus to give a letter to the EC to say that he is withdrawing his resignation.
The gaming companies (check out the next special draws) will be asked to put in more pressure to get the resignation withdrawn with money being pumped in to make the beneficiary very happy?
Remember, the PM cast the first die by saying that the by-election is not a good idea and that BN may not contest?
All he needed was to say this famous quote and the campaign masters and schemers have started to work towards meeting the objective.
This is type of tricks MIC leaders will just sit back and watch without saying anything, as after all MIC is just nothing to the bigger component partners.
Read on - the following Bernama's news.
-------------------------
1ST DECISION
EC meets on 22 April on Penanti vacancy
PUTRAJAYA, 17 April 2009: The Election Commission (EC) will meet on 22 April to determine the vacancy of the Penanti state assembly seat and the need for a by-election.
EC Chairperson Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, when contacted today, said the commission would announce on 24 April the status of the state assembly seat and the date for the by-election if a vacancy occurred.
He said the Penang Election Director had received a notice of the vacancy for the seat from the Penang state assembly speaker today and the notice had been faxed to the EC Headquarters this morning.
The incumbent state assemblyperson, Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, who was also the former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, had announced his resignation as the Penanti assemblyperson yesterday.
Mohammad Fairus, 32, said the decision was made to enable him to concentrate fully on his post-graduate study besides clearing his name following the various allegations against him. He is currently under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) for alleged malpractices involving a quarry, and resigned as the Penang Deputy Chief Minister I and chairperson of the State Committee on Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development, Information and Community Relations effective 8 April.
Abdul Aziz said the original notice of vacancy and the resignation letter as Penanti state assemblyperson would be brought to the EC Headquarters, here on 20 April.
He said the EC needed time to study in detail the vacancy and all aspects on the by-election before making an announcement.
He said the meeting on 22 April would also look into ways of avoiding too many party supporters acting as canvassers on polling day.
"The last by-elections had shown that too many canvassers had posed problems such as harassing the voters and causing traffic congestion at the polling centres," he said. — Bernama
THE UPDATE YESTERDAY
EC: Status of Penanti seat on 27 April
PUTRAJAYA, 22 April 2009: Election Commission (EC) chairperson Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof will announce the status of the Penanti state seat on 27 April.
Public relations officer Sabri Said said Abdul Aziz would make the announcement at a media conference at EC headquarters here on 27 April at 10am.
"The media conference has been switched from Friday to Monday. EC which met today discussed the status of the Penanti state seat in Penang," he said in a statement here today.
Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, 33, of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) resigned as Penanti state assemblyman on 16 April.
Fairus who was investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had also resigned as Penang Deputy Chief Minister I. — Bernama
CHECK THIS OUT ONLINE IN 'THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER'
A very small community in Malaysia and yet being insulted like this, because some 'leaders' want to remain in power far too long and condone such acts.
The “best best boss” can be found in Bolehland
---------------------------------
What is the best company to work for in Bolehland? The answer is Maika Holdings. And how do I know that? Simple, read what happened at an inquest in the death of an Indian actress, Sujatha, who died last year. This actress also worked as a PA to the boss of Maika. To cut the story short, during the inquest it was revealed that the boss of Maika, who is also the son of a VVIP, just loved to look after his employees. He gave this actress RM200,000 in cash for her apartment, funding for medical treatment and education, and also for her two brothers’ education in Australia. The boss also acted as the guarantor for the hire-purchase loan which Sujatha took out to purchase a Mazda RX8 sports car. He also took her for a holiday in Perth.
Wow, I wish to nominate the boss of Maika for Bolehland’s “Best Best Boss” award for his undying kindness and welfare of his employees. Is Maika hiring? I’m sure millions of workers are lining up to join. With a boss like this, there will never be any issue of strikes, unhappiness in the workplace, fake MCs, days off, etc. Malaysian workers will be the envy of the world.
It is very sad to say, although we came from very brave comunity but not even one guy in CWC is brave to tell the true, that Samy Vellu to leave from his President post to gain back people suport.i think all the gentleme there in CWC and MIC Youth section should change to wear "sari" when u all going to atend MIC meeting. that is the suitable dress for u all.
Suren
Selangor
dear datuk,
i was stunned at your media stunt/ publicity over your little experience in the emergency room. was tat even necessary? sure it did improve your popularity index a bit though, but i have a few questions. how does your press conference help in improving public service? 2. how did you get entry into treatment when u were not even the distant relative of the patient? was there some element of power abuse? by introducing yourself as a datuk so and so? deputy minister? 3. how long did you wait at the waiting area? and which zone of the emergency room was your patient placed in? 4. how much do you know about the working condition and environment in GH before making such heroic statement?
Good Day Sir
It is no big secret that the service sector in Malaysia sucks.
You encounter with the doctors who were cooling their heels during work hour is nothing new so to speak in Malaysia.
I remember ex PM Badawi once quoted Malaysia have all the first class infrastructure but third class people operating them.
The mere thought of Malaysia's service sector gives me a nightmare. For all the brahoo haa of Mahathir era development which also enhanced corruption, lackadaisical attitude, ketuanan melayu (utter rubbish), and nepotism, getting a passport done takes a long waiting period (the whole day) and once office hours are over..you have to come back the following day. Processing it takes a week! That was Mahathir's period and I'm thinking what development?
During Badawi's tenure it was reduced to 3 working days initially and then further reduced to within a day. Well for all the weakness he is so well portrayed for...he sure had those gov service sectors run efficiently.
The ex PM for Spore Lee Kuan Yew once quoted - " Singapore have no natural resources like our neighbours to depend on, our natural resources are our people who we have to cultivate to become the best". Which explains getting things done in Singapore is so much faster than Malaysia.
And they are constantly innovating the service sector to be better than its neighbours.
Which is why the country is known for its efficiencies through out the world.
The natural resources here in Spore are not spoon fed or given subsidy. They are told to work hard and earn recognition thru merits not on racial base preferences.
I have been to government hospitals in KL, and I wish ex PM Badawi was still around....
Thanking you.
Asha Iyengar
Dear Dato,
What a semangat BN?
The Health Minister is firing salvos at you now and I believe you have got your orders to keep quiet by now.
G U T S..... is that what people call it?
Salam Muhibbah Dato.
(Yenna kodumai Saravanan...)
p/s: Many will say no need to contest because BN is going to lose anyway. For me that's a lame excuse. Nothing is certain until you go to the ballots!
By the way Dato,
By elections are meant to be won by Pakatan Government. Opposition BN will walk with thier tails inbetween the legs.
BN will loss because of you...blatant attacks against doctors
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