Apr

2

Congratulations, People’s Alliance

April 2, 2008 | 3 Comments

I read the news on the formation of the People’s Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat) with glee. Indeed, I am excitedly anticipating the ratification of the new political coalition by the respective parties’ leadership.

Whatever it is, this calls for a congratulatory message. It is not everyday we have something like this happen in Malaysia’s political landscape. Actually, the last time we witnessed such an event was almost a decade ago when Barisan Alternatif was formed prior to the 1999 general election.

This time round, the coaltion was formed after the so-called political tsunami of the 2008 general election. Hence, if we are to be objective and honest with ourselves, the new coalition of Pakatan Rakyat is only possible because of the wave of change brought about by the people’s power to vote and, in particular, their decision to start a new chapter in Malaysian politics.

Therefore, Pakatan Rakyat must recognise this fact and proceed cautiously and responsibly vis-à-vis the people’s hopes and dreams. Now, more than ever, the opposition must be clear and single-minded in their struggle for democracy and unity of this often divided nation.
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Feb

27

It’s time to believe (that change is possible)

February 27, 2008 | 3 Comments

Many sceptical Malaysians often say that things will never change in Malaysia. In particular, these people are talking about the political landscape of Malaysia. Although I agree that it is extremely difficult to visualise Malaysian politics any other way, i.e. being dominated by Umno, I strongly believe that we can change things; otherwise, I wouldn’t bother being in a political party.

Party politics aside, many people say that it’s time to change. With all the crime, corruption, educational and environmental (physical, mental and spiritual) damage that Umno has perpetrated on Malaysia, it’s very clear to everyone that it is time for change in Malaysia. Indeed, many would say that change is overdue.
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Dec

8

Fascism & fiction

December 8, 2007 | 1 Comment

I found a definition of fascism at PublicEye.org, which says, amongst other things, “fascism is a form of extreme right-wing ideology that celebrates the nation or the race as an organic community transcending all other loyalties… It seeks to forcibly subordinate all spheres of society to its ideological vision of organic community, usually through a totalitarian state. Both as a movement and a regime, fascism uses mass organizations as a system of integration and control, and uses organized violence to suppress opposition…”

And according to Wikipedia, “fascism is also typified by totalitarian attempts to impose state control over all aspects of life: political, social, cultural, and economic, by way of a strong, single-party government for enacting laws and a strong, sometimes brutal militia or police force for enforcing them. Fascism exalts the nation, state, or group of people as superior to the individuals composing it. Fascism uses explicit populist rhetoric; calls for a heroic mass effort to restore past greatness; and demands loyalty to a single leader, leading to a cult of personality and unquestioned obedience to orders.”

The above descriptions sound eerily like what’s happening in Malaysia. And, mind you, the Abdullah regime is not the first in Malaysia to be compared to the fascists. An ex-colleague of mine created a clever photoshop image of a Hitler-like Mahathir about ten years ago.
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Aug

24

Let’s celebrate together

August 24, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Wow! We’re just one week away from the historic 50th anniversary of Merdeka. Alas, I don’t feel very festive… Indeed, I’m going to “celebrate” Merdeka with my dad and sister in Singapore. With the way things are in Malaysia, I don’t feel “patriotic” at all.

However, I do want to give my support to the motley crew that’s come up with the 50:44 Malaysia Merdeka celebrations. I’ll definitely be back from Singapore to check things out at the Pasar Seni Annexe.

Aug

7

Race, royalty and resolve

August 7, 2007 | 1 Comment

This morning, on a whim, I checked out our Opposition Leader’s website, and chanced upon a hot-off-the-press posting by Dr. Chen Man Hin. In his posting, Dr. Chen suggested that the Prime Minister invite Raja Nazrin Shah, the Crown Prince of Perak, to be his personal adviser, in light of the latter’s speech at the first Malaysian Student Leaders Summit 2007.

For what it’s worth, I must say that that’s an ingenius and interesting idea from Dr. Chen. I wonder what Raja Nazrin thinks. (By the way, Raja Nazrin’s credentials are quite impressive. Check out the link to his entry in Wikipedia above.)
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Jul

22

Reconciliation and Unity Commission

July 22, 2007 | 1 Comment

After chatting with a friend about my blog, I realised that I need to be a bit more positive about things, and also more constructive.

Hence, after some reflection about my “apartheid posting”, I believe there is a better way forward for Malaysia. At least in terms of patching up racial relations between the different ethnic communities.

Actually, I started writing this posting yesterday but had to stop for lunch, meetings and so forth. Anyway, it’s just as well that I didn’t finish it yesterday because I just read Dr. Chandra Muzaffar’s comment in the NST this morning. Frankly, I am surprised Dr. Chandra still has so much confidence in the government and the Parliament.
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Jul

12

Peace… what peace?

July 12, 2007 | 1 Comment

Something’s been buzzing in my entire being for sometime now, and I really need to get it out of my system… And to make matters worse, I couldn’t put my finger on it.

I guess I’m quite anxious (not excited) that the general elections are just round the corner. The anxiety is partially caused by all the ineffectiveness, inefficiency and incompetence that I observe, and I wonder if we’re ready to face the general elections.

And now I’m getting even more anxious and agitated when I look at the front page of today’s New Straits Times. The actual newspaper has a nice photo lineup with the Prime Minister and all these other supposed members of the ‘Unity Squad’. Another half-baked idea from somebody’s backyard, but a definite sign that elections are just around the corner.
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Apr

12

Imagine

April 12, 2007 | 2 Comments

Just imagine. It’s not difficult, I assure you.

Just imagine a nation with its diverse peoples. A few hundred years back, the inhabitants of this nation were native peoples who lived in the forests.

Then one day, a visitor from a neighbouring nation came. He saw that the land was good and he decided to bring his people to this nation.

Imagine over time, his people grew and grew, and began to dominate this nation. Soon, the visitors became the Majority.
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