This is simply ridiculous.
check out BBC new’s:
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News update: Malaysia
Three months after the general election, Malaysia hits BBC headlines again…
Malaysia’s Anwar seeks sanctuary
A party official said Mr Anwar had received death threats
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Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has sought refuge in the Turkish embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
He told the BBC he had gone to the embassy because he was afraid of being arrested or assaulted.
Earlier, Mr Anwar rejected a new allegation of sodomy made by a member of his staff, describing it as a complete fabrication to discredit him.
He says the claims by a 23-year-old are designed to block his political resurgence after success at the polls… (more on BBC NEWS)
Obviously, BBC’s story seems more slanted towards Anwar’s side of the story. If you want to hear what our government says about the issue, turn to local papers; they never fail to deliver our government’s words to the public.
Anwar receives death threats, in hiding (Update 3)
I don’t have much to say about ‘death threats’. Yes, I am a typical generation Y consumer. I am cynical about everything. I study news, I learn marketing, I learn public relations, I study media and politics. Maybe these theories that I am learning about how politics work makes me a cynical freak.
When I see this news in BBC website, I am not concerned about which sides I am going to take.
I am rather ashame.
Malaysia Tomorrow 1
2.09am on March 9, I stared at the computer screen like a grandma who just discovered the fascination of technology.
It was not because I just uncovered the mystery of internet. Rather, it was the bewilderment that I felt on what was appearing on the screen.
“I think the result was not finalized yet. Or maybe I’m too sleepy to see the correct figure”
It cant be…. for some reasons, my eyes were manipulating me; fore the screen wrote : “Information revealed that the opposition had won over Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor”
Not believing what I had seen, I checked the latest online news again at 10am.
“so its true… 4 states…” I told myself…stunned.
My first reaction was to grab the phone and made a long distance call back to Malaysia. No harm double confirming the information with people who were IN the country right?
And there I was. Hit into the unexpected reality.
Before the election, I was amazed at how the oppositions were rising in power through blogs. I saw them as children in the country who are growing into their adolescent stage. During that time, I was happy about how much they have grown but I definitely did not see them as grown adults who were capable of ruling or keeping charge.
Days after they were hit into the ‘adult world’ (of practically ruling the states),the opposition immaturity and messiness of being a novice was revealed. First, in the state of Perak. When three kids (DAP, PKR and PAS) cannot even settle collectively and efficiently (in ways that do not involve mainstream media having the chance to dig trouble stories out from them) on who should be the respected Mentri Besar of the state, how do you expect them to rule the whole perak with no conflict???!! (More information about the issue on Star online)
Because of the circumstances before the election, the oppositions decided to be ‘allies in war time’. They said that they ‘will work together peacefully so that Malaysia can have a brighter tomorrow’.
However, one thing remains clear.
Each of these oppositions have very different ideology.
Similar to the history of chinese revolution where all rebels acted together to bring down the Emperor, the opposition parties in Malaysia worked together on the same basis.
Clearly, they want to strengthen their powers to weaken BN.
But their common visions ended there.
Now that they had won some states, signs of ‘break-ups’ after a war were slowly revealing among the oppositions.
DAP decided that it is time for Penang to abandons the 30 years long pro-Malay policy whereby more jobs, educations and social services opportunities were given to poverty-stricken ethnic Malays.
The basis behind the change in policy is good.
DAP wants to provide a fair and equal society for all races.
However, one has to keep in mind that the pro-malay policy has been around the country for decades. This policy has been embedded into the cultures and behaviours of every Malaysians. Malays are used to being given privileges while other racial groups are used to fighting harder to gain the same opportunity.
These behaviors have become part of Malaysian identities.
To create a fair and ‘colourblind’ society, Pro-Malay policy does come as a problematic policy.
Nevertheless, due to the policy’s deep history in the country, a sudden abolishment of the policy may only be an act of eagerness and not rationality.
If I were a Malay in Penang, I can imagine that this abolishment may come as a betrayal to Malay racial group.
On one hand, DAP leader was promising that he will not marginalise Malay; Then, he turns around and abolish the policy that all Malays treated as a natural privilege.
I am not here to doubt each political parties’ attachment and love towards the country.
With no doubt, each members of the political parties were patriotic citizens of Malaysia. Their ideas and desires to make Malaysia a better nation is good.
But that does not mean that they have the skills and knowledge to rule.
From my heart, I wish that a beam of light can be shined on Malaysia. I pray that every politicians, regardless of their differences, can lead my homeland to the right path. We can’t afford to fall anymore.
I love forward to a greater Malaysia
The election that goes down in History
Barisan Nasional lost control of four states – Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor, while PAS secured two-thirds majority to keep its hold on Kelantan.
It is Barisan Nasional (BN)’s worst performance in a general election since independence in 1957.
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi’s multi-racial coalition won 139 out of 220 seats counted for the 222-seat Parliament, state television reported. Even if the BN wins the remaining two seats, it would fall short of the 148 seats needed for a two-thirds majority.
The opposition alliance of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and the Islamic Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), won 81 seats. In the outgoing parliament, the opposition had 19 seats.
The only other time the 14-party BN coalition failed to win a two-thirds majority was in 1969 when it secured 66% of the seats. This time, it would have only 63.5% if it wins the remaining two seats.
A two-thirds majority is needed to amend the Constitution. The last time the BN lost that majority was in the 1969 election.
Nurul Izzah, eldest daughter of opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim, who was facing a three-cornered fight ousted a sitting minister in an inner-city seat in the capital while her mother, Wan Azizzah Wan Ismail maintained her seat in Penang.
The result shows how the people stand up to ensure that Malaysia does not equate to Barisan Nasional.
Check out Channelnewsasia coverage on the election:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/video
PM’s post election press conference
DAP Lim Guan Eng’s Speech in Penang
http://anwaribrahimblog.com/ (Message from Anwar)
A New Dawn for Malaysia
My fellow Malaysians,
Today at the ballot box, you listened to your heart with the firm conviction that the time for change has arrived.
The people of Malaysia have spoken. This is a defining moment, unprecedented in our nation’s history.
Today a new chapter has opened. The people have voted decisively for a new era where the government must be truly inclusive and recognize that all Malaysians, regardless of race, culture and religion are a nation of one.
The people have expressed in no uncertain terms that they want accountability, transparency and the rule of law.
Today unity, consensus, and mutual respect triumphed.
Tomorrow, we start working to build a brighter future, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder. This is a new dawn for Malaysia.
Anwar Ibrahim
“Are you in Malaysia? Did you vote? How do you see the political situation developing now?”
This is a question posted by the BBC news to all Malaysians. Comments came in voicing that this election result was a ‘betrayal’ to the party which made malaysia into what it is today while others said that Malaysia so-called ‘multi racial harmony’ is just a ‘big fat lie’.
As a Malaysian, please help to answer this controversial question made by BBC and think about the basis in which all Malaysians cast their vote yesterday.
Is the result a reflection of mere anger towards BN or do the people have pure faith in the opposition??
Are you voting in accordance to the race of the candidate or are you voting in accordance to the cause in which the candidate support?
KLCC
This photo was taken by a Kumpung Johor girl who returned to the capital city of Malaysia after 3 years only to realized that she is so proud to be a Malaysian.
The landmark of Malaysia stands up like proud parents who brighten up their sleepless children.
“All thanks to them, the city of KL is such a beauty”
Election countdown..
I asked.. why is it that they want to cast a vote to the opposition when they know that BN is going to win anyway?
The common replies came like this:
“We know that they are going to win, but we need opposition in the seats to weaken the government and allow the opposition to have a say in how the country is going to be govern”
“If we, the people, don’t give a chance for the opposition to prove themselves, who are?”
This is one of the speech by Anwar. I heard from people (because I absolutely do not understand the speeches which were made in BM) that his speeches reflect the voices of Malaysia citizens. Some viewers left comments saying that Anwar Ibrahim should be the rightful leader of Malaysia while others take the chance to jeer Umno as U—- untuk, M—- manusia, N—- no, O—- otak.
One thing is very clear in this election. The oppositions are gearing up their strength in the new media by being active bloggers and internet activists. Even though many of Malaysia’s news agencies are still huge BN fans who only report positive things about the party, many readers have shifted their sources of information about the coming election online. Instead of reading newspapers that said ‘BN support EXPANSION, while opposition support EXPENSIVE’, voters, especially new voters in their 20s are become very much cynical to the mainstream media.
In dinner tables or tea sessions, we hear young voters talking about the latest election news in malaysiatoday- www.malaysia-today.net/ (an Independent news edited by Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin which also includes commentaries by Anwar Ibrahim) or other online activists. A mention about the newspaper can make them shake their heads in despair. Unknowingly, when it comes to election analysis and coverage, the standard of Malaysia mainstream media has become less sophisticated than the freelancers online.
In a few days time, Malaysia is going to vote. We all know that BN is going to continue to rule the country in the next four years, but how much will the opposition get a say after the election?
Election fever in my hometown
The election fever in its high in my hometown, Permas Jaya.
In America, they have campaign war where candidates go around spreading their ideologies through inspiring speeches. In Malaysia, flags that occupy the most space does the same job.
BN or PAS: Your choice (on March 8 )
Understanding the ignorance of Malaysians towards politics. Barisan Nasional understands that no message is needed. All they have to do is make sure that people see the symbol enough to know what it is and make a vote.
I can’t help but to notice how everyone else is continuing their everyday routine with no care in the world despite the politicians’ effort to win their vote.
Im so bad at drawing, I think i’m going to embarrass myself in my vote
I read an interesting paper in NST today.
“To err is human, and it can be costly”
Here was how the story goes:
I REMEMBER standing behind a cute elderly woman who was drawing symbols on the ground with her cane on polling day in 2004. She had caught my attention at the gate, when political party supporters got into a tug-of-war over her vote.
When her turn came, she walked confidently into the booth and drew the curtain behind her. For a good five minutes, we could hear her intensely scribbling and muttering curses inside the booth. Finally, she emerged with a triumphant look on her face and sound advice for everyone: “Draw the symbol properly. If wrong, rugi (wasted) your vote.”
That was one spoilt vote. Luckily for her, the “suitors and wooers” were not in earshot.
After all the indoctrination, how can we still get it so wrong? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Here is an enlightenment! If you support a partyl, don’t draw a big fat cross beside it, draw the symbol itself! =p
my photo album
For babies born in the 80s... 