Politics: GE13: It’s 133 for BN and 89 for Opposition

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional won 133 parliamentary seats at the 13th general election to record a slightly reduced performance compared to 2008, but it managed to wrest Kedah from Pakatan Rakyat. The ruling coalition failed to regain Selangor and Penang but retained Perak with a slim three-seat majority, due to what Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak described as a “Chinese tsunami”.

As at press time, the results for two parliamentary seats had yet to be announced. While peninsula Malay and bumiputra voters from Sabah and Sarawak mostly kept their faith in Barisan Nasional, Chinese voters rewarded Pakatan Rakyat - particularly the DAP, which won 38 seats, an increase of nine compared to the 29 seats it won in 2008. The Opposition won 89 seats. MCA saw its tally of seats reduced to seven from the 15 it held.



“There was a tsunami among the Chinese community which supported the Opposition,” Najib said during a press conference at Barisan headquarters in PWTC. Najib also noted the racial polarisation in the voting trend, and said that this could lead to conflicts in society if it was not dealt with.
“Therefore, we will undertake a process of national reconciliation so we can set aside any extremism and communalism with policies based on moderation.” The much anticipated increase in support by Indian voters appeared to have been muted with MIC winning four parliamentary seats, the same number which the party held going into the polls. The sentiments of Malay voters were mixed but there appeared to have been a shift towards Barisan that helped to off-set some of the erosion in the level of Chinese support. For Pakatan, PAS saw its tally of parliament seats reduced to 21 from 23 while PKR won 28 seats, up from 23 in 2008.

Najib with other Barisan members celebrate the party's victory in the general election.

Barisan's weaker performance compared to the 138 parliament seats it won in the last general election is likely to be the focus of the coalition's election post-mortem. The outcome is also expected to feature prominently at the internal party elections scheduled later this year for Barisan component parties. Najib thanked voters for their support of the coalition to continue to lead the country. “I hope for the sake of the country that all sides, especially the Opposition, will accept this decision with an open heart and allow the democratic process to proceed smoothly. “The will of the people must be respected. There have been several improvements made to the election process,” he said.
The Barisan chairman reaffirmed that all pledges in the Barisan manifesto would be fulfilled. Source: The Star Malaysia

Politics: Polling Centres Open for voting. It's Showdown Time!

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians head to the ballot box today to elect representatives to the Dewan Rakyat and state legislative assemblies in what has been described as the most hard fought general election in the country's history. The 13.3 million registered voters include a record 2.4 million first-timers, many of them believed to be fence-sitters whom Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat have strived to woo during 15 days of intense campaigning that ended at the stroke of midnight.
Gen-Y voters, generally defined as those under the age of 40, are also a major force, making up 42% of the electorate or four out of every 10 voters. There were 146,181 overseas and local postal voters and 235,826 military and police personnel eligible to cast their ballots on April 28 and 30 respectively.

Voting for the 222 parliamentary and 505 state seats will be conducted at 8,789 polling centres nationwide that will be open from 8am to 5pm. Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said the first results are expected at about 7.30pm. He said the EC would issue updates on voter turnout percentages and will make an announcement as soon as either Barisan or Pakatan wins 112 seats in the Dewan Rakyat to form the Federal Government. “When it is clear that a party has a clear majority, the leader of that party will seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to form the Federal Government, or with the Sultan or Governor in the case of a state government,” Abdul Aziz said, explaining the process of swearing in the Prime Minister and Mentris Besar or Chief Ministers.

The EC will upload real time results and all other announcements on its two websites www.spr.gov.my and www.pru13.gov.my.  Abdul Aziz advised voters to check in advance where they are required to cast their ballots. Voters can get information on their polling centre, stream number and electoral roll serial number at the two EC websites or via SMS by typing SPR (space) SEMAK (space) Mykad number before sending it to 15888 or 29292 (Celcom), 33080 or 22789 (Maxis) and 33080 (Digi).

Politics: Final Verdict GE-13, who will stand out as winners?

By Alex Leow Sze Shen

Welcome back everyone!

It's once again our rights to vote yet again and we Malaysians will be heading for the polls on 5th May 2013. The country's most anticipated event for all Malaysians to walk out to vote no matter rain or shine. And I have to say among all the Elections, the GE-13 would be the most fierce and the most tightly contested General Election of all times.

On papers, most of the Rakyat are unhappy with the Barisan Nasional policy and many had vowed to change. What Barisan Nasional had done? Barisan Nasional had eventually done a lot of mistakes in the past where a few negative factors had haunted them such as No.1 country in the world that's involved in Corruption, giving free IC's to Sabah people, hike in cost of living and burder the Rakyat and many more. Of course, we live in fear under the Basiran Nasional ruling which consists of MCA, MIC and UMNO. I would not elaborate more on this issue but just to highlight some important points about it.

For me, what PR had done although they are not the federal government. Having wrest 5 states in the previous general elections except Perak whom Barisan Nasional had eventually taken over (not legally) from them with Kelantan, Penang, Kedah and Selangor are equally doing well and manage to treat their Rakyat better. A big achievement for Pakatan Rakyat led states.

On paper, Pakatan Rakyat can toppled the Barisan Nasional Government to wrest Putrajaya from them but anything can happen before the final whistle. I would predict Pakatan Rakyat to win with 140 Parliamentary Seats compared to BN with 82 seats only. Many questions will be asked including will there be any phantom voters during the election day? Will Bangladesh or other foreigners able to vote on election day? If there's is, this would be a very dirty election indeed and we definitely do not want to see that. The best General Election ever to watch and stay tuned to alexleow-kimmy.com and Alex Leow Sze Shen Facebook Page for the Election Results tomorrow. May the best party wins!

Politics: Nomination day throws up many shockers

PETALING JAYA: Nominations have ended with several unexpected twists, paving the way for an unpredictable election campaign. The first shock came after it was announced that two DAP members had been sacked from the party for contesting as independent candidates.

In Cheras, incumbent Teratai state assemblyman Jenice Lee was sacked by the DAP disciplinary board for fielding as an independent and has been given 14 days to make an appeal. Similarly in Malacca, the parliamentary seat of Kota Melaka has been left in an odd conundrum when its incumbent MP Sim Tong Him, who is contesting there under the DAP banner, was sacked for fielding himself as an independent in the Kota Laksamana state seat. Sources said Sim would continue to run in Kota Melaka as a DAP candidate despite being thrown out as the Election Commission (EC) has yet to receive an official letter from the party on the matter.

Umno also sacked former Agriculture and Agro-based Industries deputy minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shariff Omar from the party for contesting as an independent in the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary seat in Penang. It is understood that Mohd Shariff is contesting as a Pakatan-friendly independent in Tasek Gelugor and also the Sungai Dua state seat. Another shocker was when Barisan Nasional candidate for the Pasir Mas parliamentary seat Che Johan Che Pa did not to submit his nomination papers in Kelantan, paving way for a straight fight between Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali and Nik Aziz's son, Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz. Kelantan Barisan Nasional told reporters that it would launch a probe into why Che Johan failed to sumbit his papers and on its next strategy for the seat. The day also saw numerous unexpected independent candidates joining the fray in some seats. In Ipoh, the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat will see a three-cornered fight with Umno Wanita deputy chairman Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim joining the fray as an independent. She has since announced she was resigning from Umno.

She is set to clash with Barisan's Datuk Wan Mohammad Khairil Anuar Wan Ahmad and PAS' Dr Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah. In Kuala Lumpur, PKR's Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim will face a four-way fight for the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat against Barisan's Tan Kok Eng, with two independent candidates (Mohd Sukeri Abdul Mamat and Mokhtar Salahudin) joining the fray. In Pandan, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat's former private secretary Allan Tan Yew Leng will contest as an independent for the parliamentary seat against MCA's Garry Lim and PKR's Rafizi Ramli. There will be a five-way tussle for the Batu seat with incumbent MP Tian Chua of PKR facing off with Barisan's Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai and three independent candidates which are Atan Jasin, Nazariah Abbas and Datuk Hashim Karim from Berjasa. The Machang Bubuk state seat in Bukit Mertajam which will see an epic six-cornered fight between Gerakan's Tan Lok Heah, PKR Lee Khai Loon, Kita “Datuk” Dr Vicky Vikneswaran, and three other independents - Datuk Tan Hock Leong, Wan Balkis Wan Abdullah and Ooi Suan Hoe.

Meanwhile, tension between PKR and PAS allies emerged over a few seats. PKR is fielding Badrul Hisham Shaharin or Chegu Bard for the Sungai Acheh state seat despite Penang PAS picking its Youth chief Mohd Yusni Mat Piah who claimed it was originally a PAS seat that was “loaned” to PKR in the 2008 polls. Chegu Bard will take on PAS Youth chairman Mohd Yusni Mat Piah and incumbent assemblyman Datuk Mahmud Zakaria from Barisan. Labuan will also see a three-way fight with PKR joining the fray by fielding Tan Sri Ibrahim Menudin who will clash against its PAS ally Hadnan Mohamad and Umno fresh face Rosman Isli. In Terengganu, PAS broke ranks by fielding three candidates in state seats which were originally meant to be a straight fight between ally PKR and Barisan. PAS is fielding Adam Mat Said to go against PKR's Mohamad Abdul Ghani Ibrahim and Barisan's Mohd Mahdi Musa in Kota Putera. In Bukit Besi, Roslan Ismail will run as the PAS candidate against PKR's Mohd Shamsul Mat Amin and Barisan's Roslee Daud. For the Seberang Pakir state seat, PAS' Zakaria Dagang is in a three-way fight with the incumbent Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Razak of Barisan and PKR's Ahmad Nazri Mohd Yusof. All seats were previously won by Barisan candidates. Source: The Star Malaysia 20/4/2013

Politics: Polls on May 5, EC announces

PUTRAJAYA: Polling for the 13th general election is on May 5 while nomination of candidates is on April 20. This was announced by Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dissolved Parliament on Wednesday April 3, paving the way for the 13th general election. The EC said all 222 parliamentary and 505 state seats will be decided on the same day.

Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof making the announcement on polling and nomination dates for the 13th general election in Putrajaya on Wednesday. - RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/ The Star.

Voters in Sarawak will not elect a new state assembly, as the current state government still has three years of its mandate left after the polls in 2011. Earlier, the Election Commission began its meeting at 9.30am to finalise the polling and nomination dates for the 13th general election. The much-anticipated press conference was covered by scores of print and TV journalists who arrived as early as 8.30am. After a photo-shoot, the reporters waited at the media centre. They returned at 12.15pm for the press conference at which the dates were announced. Source: The Star Malaysia

Politics: Dr Chua Soi Lek vs YB Lim Guan Eng debate

KUALA LUMPUR: If the opposition is strengthened, it essentially means that PAS is strengthened, said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek in his debate with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng on Saturday.

“PAS will lead them and will definitely push for Islamic laws. Religion is a sensitive issue in a multi-racial country, especially when religion is made the core of a democracy.

"Be it in economy or education, it will raise negative issues,” said Dr Chua, in the debate entitled 'Chinese at a Crossroads - Is a Two-Party System Becoming a Two-Race System?' here Saturday.

He said the opposition always lied. “Their main objective is to wrest power, and the opposition now is very diferent from the past.

Dr Chua making a point during the debate

"When PAS becomes dominant, the opposition will say don't worry, it will all be good. This is the biggest political lie.

“Look at Kedah - men and women need to sit separately. No alcohol in Kelantan, no cinema in Bangi. This clearly shows DAP is a slave to PAS,” Dr Chua said.

“In DAP's history of 48 years it has only contested in Chinese majority areas, adopting the policy of using Chinese against the Chinese.

“The DAP wants to teach Umno a lesson but they dare not face Umno. In fact, they only challenge the Chinese based political party,” he said.

He said the DAP had incited hatred and split the people so that it could take over the government.

He said the Penang Chief Minister was giving false hope to the people that the Chinese could also be the heads of other states.

Lim Guan Eng gesturing during the debate.

He also said that the DAP was helping the PAS to be the “tai ko” to take over the states or federal government.

After the 2008 election, Dr Chua said the DAP had the highest number of state seats but the Mentris Besar were from PAS.

Dr Chua also chided Guan Eng for saying that he wanted zero opposition in Penang in the coming election.

“How can the country establish a two-party system when there is no opposition?” he asked.

“To me, the two party system is only a slogan DAP is using to grab power.”

He also condemned the opposition candidates who lost in the election of being missing from their respective constituencies as even their service office had disappeared after they lost.

As for Guan Eng, he told the packed ballroom that Barisan has been making contradictory statements, with MCA claiming that PAS has been making use of DAP.

“However, Umno says that it is DAP that is using PAS. We are not using each other, we are ready to be used by the people.

“We are not against the Malays, Chinese or Indians but corrupt government,” he added.

Guan Eng also said it was Barisan that was a two-race coalition.

“Barisan's concept has divided the country into Malays and non-Malays since Independence in 1957.

“If the opposition comes into power, we will take care of all Malaysians, regardless of race, as we are one family,” he added.

Guan Eng urged the people to be brave enough to stand up and realise the two party-system.

He explained that with a two-party system, the party that could not perform could step down and the other party could take over.

He also promised to abolish the Penang bridge toll, to increase the oil royalties to Sabah and Sarawak, and give RM1,000 to senior citizens annually. “We want to set up a policy state and not a police state,” he said.

Guan Eng also gave, as examples, his achievements in Penang including dual languages in road signages and zero corruption after 2008.

Guan Eng refuted allegations that the Penang state government did not allocate land to Chinese primary schools, saying that it had given money to all schools, including Chinese independent schools.

“We should not bow to fate and have the right to equality. We should not kneel and beg. We should be brave enough to stand and ask for it,” he said.

He said that he had told his daughter that he wanted to be their voice so that they could continue to stay in this country and need not to leave the country for a better life.

He said the unfairness faced by the Chinese was also faced by the non-Chinese.

“We should stand together to ensure our children's future,” he said. Source: The Star Malaysia 18/02/2012

Politcs: BN retains two-thirds majority but Sarawak’s fixed deposit shattered

KUCHING, April 16 — The Barisan Nasional (BN) has managed to keep its two-thirds legislative majority in Sarawak but today’s results have shattered the coalition’s invincibility and the notion of a fixed deposit in future elections.

The DAP doubled its presence to 12 and PKR tripled its representation although the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lynchpin had contested in 49 seats. PAS lost in all five seats it contested while Independent George Lagong took one seat.

The number of state seats to the Opposition pact will spell danger for BN as it could help them win more parliamentary seats when the general election is called by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. PR now has 75 MPs but the Sarawak win could translate into more in the future.

At 10.55pm, BN was declared the winner for 55, or 75 per cent, of the 71 seats in the Sarawak legislature. In the 2006 elections, it won 62 out of the 71 seats. Initial estimates showed that BN's popular vote went down from 62.93 per cent in 2006 to 55.24 per cent in today's polling.

The biggest upset was SUPP president and Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri George Chan Hong Nam losing the Piasau state seat to DAP’s Ling Sie Kiong.

The six-term incumbent’s defeat could spell the end of the SUPP, which won only six of the 19 seats it contested.

BN had expected to lose up to 20 seats in this state election as the Opposition had centred its campaign on long-serving Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, whose reluctance to step down has even apparently infuriated national BN leaders.

Najib had pledged that this would be Taib’s last election and he would leave soon after but the veteran leader has said openly in front of the BN chairman that he will stick around for a few more years.

He made good that promise by quickly taking his oath of office as chief minister for the seventh time at 10.30pm which was broadcast live through national and satellite television.

Critics believe Taib's continued presence could help move more support to PR, which won its seats despite limited money, logistics and media presence.

Najib himself had to spend six days canvassing for votes across Malaysia’s largest state and state BN officials estimate that the coalition has spent nearly RM500 million to secure today’s victory.

Opposition leaders had concurred before today’s polling, saying BN officials had openly offered cash for support.

Sources within the Election Commission (EC) said BN won most of the seats as more from the older generation turned up to cast their ballots early compared to the younger generation who are known to support the Opposition.

“The trend was always for BN from early on in the day,” a source told The Malaysian Insider.

He pointed out that Taib’s PBB won all 35 seats that were contested reflecting the leader’s popularity among the Melanau community.

Today’s results will come as a relief to the ruling coalition which scrambled at the tail-end of the campaign to counter the massive crowds that thronged Opposition rallies in major towns.

But PR leaders were upbeat that they scored well in the state election.

“The future is bright for Pakatan in Sarawak. I don’t think BN leadership will dare to call for GE in next few months,” DAP national chairman Karpal Singh told reporters here.

However, PKR leaders were not around or too despondent to comment on the results. Source: The Malaysian Insider 17/4/2011

Politics: Pakatan says lost battle, not war

Pakatan says lost battle, not war

By Clara Chooi

March 07, 2011

Syed Ibrahim reacts after winning the Kerdau by-election yesterday. — Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) MPs scrambled today to contain the damage from yesterday’s twin by-election defeats, claiming the results had been expected and would not weaken the pact’s position ahead of the general election.

They claimed PAS’s defeat in the state constituencies of Kerdau in Pahang and Merlimau in Malacca had not caused a chink in the pact’s armour, and did not mean the federal opposition had lost momentum ahead of national polls.

When approached in Parliament today, several PR lawmakers reasoned that both constituencies are traditional Barisan Nasional (BN) strongholds, adding that the ruling pact had been a shoo-in to win in both seats from the very beginning,

PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar also claimed that PAS’s participation in both the Kerdau and Merlimau contests had merely been “exercise” for PR’s election machinery.

“I do not see that we have lost our momentum to face the 13th general election. In both these by-elections, they were BN fortresses and they were just traditional losses for us,” he told reporters in Parliament today.

The Pokok Sena MP added that he had never expected PAS to win in yesterday’s contests and, hence, did not feel that the party or PR had suffered any losses from the defeats.

“I said before that our participation in the polls was merely to exercise our election machinery. It is not like we went in to win, just to exercise, so there were no losses for us,” he said.

Mahfuz added that despite the strength of Umno and BN’s election machinery, the ruling pact had not succeeded in widening its majorities significantly.

“Even with their attacks and accusations against us, they only succeeded in lowering our votes by very little.

“With such a massive battalion, they should have done better,” he said.

PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar said PR’s defeat last night was not an indication that the pact had failed to garner the support from the rural areas, particularly from the Malay community.

“I disagree because in areas that PKR covered, like in Felda Jengka 25, 22, we actually had a slight increase of votes... coming from the Felda heartland.

“What does this mean? It means that if we are able to work hard and communicate our messages and readiness to implement political transformation in these areas, even the Malay heartland, we can do it.

“It might be a minute detail but it is something that can be done,” she said.

She added that the small vote increase in the Felda areas was an “encouraging” detail but PR would have to work harder to ensure a better performance in the coming general election.

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said that much like the by-elections in Tenang and Bagan Pinang, both the Kerdau and Merlimau seats were traditionally BN’s strongholds.

“So it is not something that should cause us to feel shocked. Unless we lose in our fortresses, in places where we are the incumbent... like in Hulu Selangor or in Terengganu.

“But here, I think it is just a common phenomenon. We only need to study the vote majority according to the races,” he said.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng concurred with his colleagues’ views, adding that it was no surprise that BN had retained both seats.

“Pahang is a BN stronghold... that is why they managed to increase their majority,” he said.

MCA vice-president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong also agreed that yesterday’s results did not spell the end for PR, warning BN against underestimating its opponents in the opposition.

“Their loss does not mean that they will not come back. We must not be over-confident.

“We must be a little conservative. A win is good but we need to think about what comes next,” he said.

When asked if he felt that BN was strongest only in rural areas, Wee said that it was important for the pact to be strong in all areas.

“If we are not doing well in urban areas, then we must strengthen our performance. At the same time, we must keep our support base in the rural areas.

“Whatever it is, when we come to the election, we must win in all 222 seats (in Parliament),” he said.

PR suffered its fourth and fifth by-election loss when polls closed in Merlimau and Kerdau yesterday, a major defeat for the coalition which had earlier been basking in continuous victories after emerging from a sterling performance in Elections 2008.

In yesterday’s elections, BN retained the Merlimau state seat when Umno’s Roslan Ahmad defeated PAS candidate Yuhaizad Abdullah with a majority of 3,643 votes. Roslan obtained 5,962 votes compared with Yuhaizad’s 2,319.

In Kerdau, BN candidate Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad defeated PAS candidate Hasanuddin Salim by a majority of 2,724 votes. Syed Ibrahim obtained 5,060 votes to Hasanuddin’s 2,336 votes. Source: The Malaysian Insider 6/3/2011

Politics: BN keeps Tenang with 3,707 majority

BN keeps Tenang with 3,707 majority

UPDATED @ 07:04:45 AM 31-01-2011

By Adib Zalkapli

January 30, 2011

Azahar (centre) celebrates his win in Tenang along with other BN leaders. — Picture by Choo Choy May

LABIS, Jan 30 — Barisan Nasional’s (BN) retained the Tenang seat today with a 3,707 vote majority, short of the 5,000 majority the ruling coalition had expected from the Umno stronghold.

BN’s Azahar Ibrahim polled 6,699 votes against PAS’s Normala Sudirman, who took 2,992 votes from the 12 polling districts.

A total of 9,833 voters or 67 per cent of the 14,753 electorate turned up to cast their ballots despite the rain.

The result was announced by Tenang election officer Md Asri Amir at 10.05pm, at the tallying centre in the Labis Municipal hall.

The announcement had been pushed back from its original 8pm schedule after several ballot boxes arrived late at the counting centre due to delays caused by the floods in the area.

Also present when the outcome was announced tonight were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Johor Mentri Besar and BN’s election director Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, and Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

Several Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders had, prior to the official announcement, sent Twitter updates saying that Azahar had won today’s by-election, which was hit by a day-long deluge and flash floods.

PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar had also sent out a congratulatory message to Azahar via Twitter.

Shortly before polling closed, the EC had sent out boats to ferry voters to four polling centres as heavy rains flooded several areas in the constituency.

Earlier today, Muhyiddin had expressed concern that rainy weather would affect turnout in the Tenang by-election and may result in Barisan Nasional (BN) winning with lower majority than expected.

BN had initially targeted a victory margin of 5,000 votes. It retained Tenang in 2008 by 2,491 votes, half the majority obtained in 2004.

The Tenang seat fell vacant when incumbent Sulaiman died last December 17 due to complications with diabetes. Source: The Malaysian Insider 31/1/2011

Politics: Galas blow may speed up Kelantan succession plan

Galas blow may speed up Kelantan succession plan

By Adib Zalkapli

November 05, 2010

Nik Aziz’s approach to the Galas campaign did not find traction with newer voters. — file pic

ANALYSIS, Nov 5 — After 20 years in power, yesterday’s Galas defeat shows Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and the first generation of PAS leaders that won Kelantan in 1990 can no longer mount an effective election campaign.

Led by state leaders Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman and Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah, the campaign to retain the Galas state seat was described as a failure from the start.

“It was top-down all the way. They just issued directives to ground workers, so there was no good communication,” said a PAS strategist who declined to be named.

Abdul Halim was formerly the Kelantan deputy mentri besar from 1990 to 2004 while Wan Abdul Rahim was first elected into the Kelantan assembly in 1995.

Another strategist from an allied party within the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) offered the view that PAS did not offer anything new to first-time voters, who mainly flocked to Barisan Nasional (BN) which ran a moderate campaign under Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

“They didn’t offer any hope, any plans for the future. That won’t wash with the new voters,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

The PAS campaign hurled allegations against the Gua Musang MP that shocked the public, accusing him of hiding vital information on Orang Asli affairs from the state government and distributing money from house to house to buy votes.

The outcome was embarrassing for PAS, as it lost in 12 out of 13 polling districts within the state seat. The Islamist party only managed to retain its stronghold of Sungai Terah with a reduced majority.

PAS also lost in Chinese-majority districts, which the party initially hoped would help them retain the seat.

“Their campaign was not focussed and the strategy was outdated. It just didn’t work anymore. I think the old leaders must go,” said the strategist, who was familiar with the campaign.

With the failure to defend the Galas seat, which it won for the first time by 646 votes in Election 2008, the party is now forced to look at a future without the popular Kelantan mentri besar and other leaders from the 1990s.

The Galas campaign had exposed Nik Aziz’s inability to defend the state government’s inefficiency, from its failure to award land titles to the badly managed logging activities in the state’s highlands that cost PAS the Orang Asli votes.

The Islamist party’s Orang Asli votes dropped from 36 per cent in 2008, to about 18 per cent in yesterday’s polls.

Many PAS campaigners working in Galas privately admitted that the defeat was caused by the state government, and Galas was not the first time when Nik Aziz has put the party in danger.

Just last year, the Kelantan administration was rocked by a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) probe over the appointment of Nik Aziz’s son-in-law to head the state government investment arm, the Kelantan Mentri Besar Corporation (PMBK).

The PAS spiritual advisor also came under fire for accepting sponsorship from a local businessman to perform the Haj pilgrimage in Mecca. Nik Aziz escaped the controversy by removing his son-in-law and cancelling the coveted religious journey.

Overall, PAS dropped just 265 votes from what it gained the last time, reflecting its strength in the state seat.

But the Galas defeat will now hasten the party’s succession plan for Kelantan. Source: The Malaysian Insider.

Politics: Poor turnout dampens BN’s Batu Sapi victory

Poor turnout dampens BN’s Batu Sapi victory

By Clara Chooi

November 05, 2010

For some Batu Sapi voters, putting a cross next to the scales was nearly second nature. — file pic

ANALYSIS, Nov 5 — Despite the euphoria, Barisan Nasional’s (BN) comfortable victory in Batu Sapi last night was a significant showing of the people’s political apathy and the fact that many were still entrenched in the era of “government knows best”.

While BN has insisted that yesterday’s results were proof that the people had accepted Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s development initiatives and 1 Malaysia platform, one significant factor was ignored — the poor turnout of voters.

If anything, the meagre 61.5 per cent turnout clearly indicated that the locals here have little or no regard for politics and place it low on their list of priorities.

Those who did turn up to vote yesterday were largely the community’s elderly, namely the staunch BN supporters of the past, who knew very little of the political changes made by their brethren across the South China Sea.

Many villagers, when met during polling day yesterday, had looked aghast at the uproar the by-election had brought to their otherwise peaceful township and were plagued with questions on why the polls was any different from past elections in the area.

Even Sabah Progressive Party’s (SAPP) candidate Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the small group of supporters seen waving flags and chanting outside the polling stations was a trend alien to the local folk of Batu Sapi.

In previous elections, said the former chief minister, voters merely sailed in and out of polling stations with ease.

Written off earlier, PKR still managed to be best of the rest. — file pic

The failure of nearly 40 per cent of the community here to turn up to cast their vote showed that many cared very little over who represented them in Parliament.

If they were indeed politically aware and anxious to support either the BN or the opposition parties of PKR and SAPP, they would have made an effort to let their voices be heard.

But the fact that they did not, resulting in BN’s victory, does not necessarily mean that the majority of voters in Batu Sapi were supportive of Najib’s slew of development initiatives.

In all likelihood even, most of the rural folk living here do not even know what the NEM, ETP, GTP, NKRA and NKEA are, along with the other plans the prime minister may have for Malaysia.

How could they, when they lack access to simple information and even basic amenities like running water or electricity?

Another significant takeaway from yesterday’s polls was Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) success in securing second place.

Although PKR had clearly walked into the race as the underdog, with predictions pointing to its likely failure to secure the seat, in just nine-days of campaigning, the peninsular-based party had managed to push through to second place, above even locally-based SAPP.

Talks with villagers during the last few days of campaigning showed that PKR, armed with its experiences from the peninsular, had managed to make its presence felt in Batu Sapi.

Local folk whispered the tales of corruption the party had brought with them, and grew starry-eyed in the presence of political giants like Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang and even Lim Guan Eng.

With their round-the-clock efforts, PKR also managed to clinch the support of the Chinese community here, which make up about 38 per cent of the total electorate.

The party hit many stumbling blocks along the way, however, as they were up against BN’s massive election machinery and resources.

For the local folk in Batu Sapi, many of whom were struggling with monthly salaries of just RM400, simple gifts were enough to convince them that BN was the better choice.

One PKR leader told The Malaysian Insider, “They are so poor and they need these things now. They cannot see beyond tomorrow and the fact that they can get even more if they dared to make a change.”

PKR’s leaders also spoke of problems with teaching people how to vote for the opposition, after finding that some local folk were not even aware of party emblems other than the BN’s.

On the final day of campaign, the party had to mobilise a team of campaign workers to teach the people how to mark their ballot papers.

PKR elections director Fuziah Salleh said that the villagers had long been accustomed to BN’s logo and when faced with a ballot paper, their immediate reaction was to mark an “X” next to it.

Still, despite these shortcomings, PKR’s Ansari managed second place yesterday with 3,414 votes, behind BN’s Datin Linda Tsen Thau Lin’s 9,773 votes. In third place was SAPP’s Yong with 2,031 votes.

If nine days of hectic campaigning could secure PKR second place, who is to say what will happen in Batu Sapi come the next general election, still at least months away? Source: The Malaysian Insider.

Politics: DAP won Sibu By-Election

SIBU, May 16 —The DAP pulled off a surprise win in the Sibu by-election today, defeating Barisan Nasional’s (BN) SUPP by 398 votes in a hard fought race. DAP’s Wong Ho Leng polled 18,845 votes compared to BN candidate Robert Lau’s 18,447 votes.

The margin of victory was just a little more than the 395 spoilt votes. The independent candidate garnered 232 votes. “Thank you Sibu. Thank you Malaysia. One small step in winning Sibu, one giant step to winning Putrajaya, “ Wong said after he was declared the winner. BN had earlier been expected to retain its Sarawak stronghold but lost despite the best efforts of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. The Sibu vote is seen as a bellwether for the Sarawak state elections which must be called by next year.

Asked by reporters today what he thought today’s result would mean for impending state polls, Wong said “Sarawak is ready for change.” DAP is the biggest opposition party in Sarawak and is expected to put up a serious challenge in the next state polls. Today’s result is also significant in that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has snapped a streak of successive defeats to BN in recent by-elections. The count now is 8-3 in favour of PR in terms of wins in by-elections held since Election 2008.

Today’s result is also a setback for Najib who had personally campaigned for BN and had placed his own reputation on the line. Najib has been counting on Sabah and Sarawak as BN’s fixed deposit, but today’s result shows a major swing from 2008 when BN won the seat by more than 3,000 votes. Today’s result also raises two thorny issues — how to deal with the Tan Sri Taib Mahmud factor and whether to push for state polls which sources say had been slated for October this year. Taib, who has been at the helm for more than two decades now, was absent from most of the Sibu campaign because BN had anticipated DAP attacks against his leadership.

The white-haired chief minister known as “pek moh” among Chinese voters has been heavily criticised for alleged abuse of power. He has to call state elections by next year and Najib and BN had been hoping a resounding win would provide the ruling coalition the momentum needed to go into the next general elections. The victorious Wong called his win tonight a miracle. “It is a miracle we have created together. For those who did not vote for me I now want to be your friend,” he said. Source: The Malaysian Insider 16/05/10

Politics: BN wins Hulu Selangor

KUALA KUBU BARU, April 25 — Barisan Nasional’s (BN) P.Kamalanathan has won a hard-fought Hulu Selangor by-election in what will be seen as a boost for Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration, but Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is expected to take heart from the close margin.

BN won today’s poll by just 1725 votes, recouping spoilt votes which contributed to its defeat in Election 2008, but failing to convincingly bury a strong PR. Earlier today, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had set a target of winning by up to 6,000 votes as observers had noted that BN needed to win big after pulling out all the stops during the campaign to justify Najib’s personal involvement and its pork-barrelled spending.

The ruling coalition had thrown everything and the kitchen sink at the campaign in an attempt to put it on track to recovery after a string of by-election defeats since Election 2008. BN had lost in all by-elections in the peninsular since 2008, except for its stronghold of Bagan Pinang in Negri Sembilan, which it retained in a by-election last October. In today’s vote, Kamalanathan obtained 24,997 votes while Zaid received 23,272.

The results suggest BN and PR are still neck and neck in the battle for support from Malaysians, particularly in the peninsular. “P. Kamalanathan’s win brings great meaning to BN because based on the 2008 results and this time there is a shift of support to BN by almost 2000 votes. “This shift has great meaning because we were contesting in a state controlled by the opposition but we were able to recapture the constituency,” Najib told reporters after the announcement. He added that the victory puts BN and the country on the right track

“It’s a good beginning for BN. Good beginning for the new direction and agenda we have set for this nation and this means we are on the right track, the right trajectory,” said Najib. “We’ll continue with what people want to see and more results. They’re happy with the announcements, with the thinking and policy direction but now we must make sure we provide the results,” he added.

On the margin of victory which is much lower than his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s prediction of 6,000 votes, Najib said the reduced majority was because the state government is not controlled by BN. “We realise this is an opposition state. In the past we controlled the state, we had the strengths of federal and state governments, so in this context I’m satisfied with the results,” said Najib. When asked about the defeat in Chinese areas, he claimed that there was improvement compared to Election 2008.

“I don’t want to make quick conclusions even though we lost most ballot boxes in Chinese areas. We lost but based on the start of the campaign I believe there is an increase,” said Najib. Meanwhile Kamalanathan who was made BN candidate after a week of dramatic and intense negotiations between MIC and Umno leaders was quick not to claim the victory as his. “This victory is not mine, this victory belongs to the Barisan Nasional machinery, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, Umno, MCA, MIC, Gerakan and all friends of Barisan Nasional,” said Kamalanathan. The MIC information chief also said that he would meet with the Hulu Selangor voters soon to address all the promises the party had made during the campaign period. “I have said before that I will move to Hulu Selangor so I will look into it as soon as I can,” he told a press conference after his victory announcement. Source: The Malaysian Insider 25/04/10

Politics: Landslide for Isa

By Adib Zalkapli

PORT DICKSON, Oct 11 — Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad has won the Bagan Pinang by-election by a landslide of 5,435 votes, snapping its losing streak in peninsula Malaysia since Election 2008. The huge margin of victory will give Umno in particular a big boost, which it hopes will mark the party’s revival. BN retained the Bagan Pinang state seat after Isa polled 8,013 votes to 2,578 votes for Negri Sembilan PAS chief Zulkefly Omar. The margin of victory was more than double BN’s win in last year’s elections.

When met by reporters after his victory was announced, Isa said: “This is a sign of a good beginning, the Chinese, the Indians, and also the Malays are now supporting BN”.
Today’s results will also mark the return of Isa to active politics since his suspension from Umno in 2005. A mentri besar for 22 years, he left the state administration after the 2004 general elections to become the federal territories minister. But he resigned from the government after he was suspended from Umno for his involvement in vote buying — a widespread practice which the party is trying to curb through a constitutional amendment expected to be passed early next week. Muhyiddin Yassin (left) congratulates a jubilant Isa. — Picture by Choo Choy May

Early analyses suggest BN won in all polling streams, and wrested back the Indian votes it lost last year. Indian votes were seen as significant because they accounted for 20 per cent of the electorate. Umno officials say the turnaround suggests Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s intense courtship of Indians contributed to their support for BN here. The party also made gains in the crucial postal votes from army personnel. Isa took 3,521 postal votes while Zulkefly received just 601 votes. Last year the postal votes tally was 3,080-1,189 in BN’s favour. Umno will be hoping today’s victory, which was expected, can be the catalyst for the party’s revival of fortunes. The party ran an efficient campaign by rallying around Isa’s popularity in the constituency. Umno’s party machinery has been energised in anticipation of today’s win and leaders will be hoping this will put it in good stead to stop Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) momentum.
Still, the election of a tainted politician, who won on his personal popularity in a small state seat, is likely to reinforce negative perceptions of Umno nationally. A recent poll by the independent Merdeka Centre showed a majority of voters in peninsular Malaysia did not approve of the candidacy. With Isa’s win, Umno may find it harder to shake off the image many Malaysians have of them as being tainted by corruption. But Najib will be hoping that a reenergised Umno and an improving economy will be enough to swing the pendulum back in favour of Umno and BN by the time the next general elections are called. Source: The Malaysian Insider 11/10/09

Politics: Ong loses confidence vote, MCA in chaos

By Lee Wei Lian and Clara Chooi

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — After a dramatic recount, MCA delegates passed a no confidence vote against party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat by a wafer-thin 14 vote majority, and also overturned the suspension of Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek. But it appears the party has been thrown into chaos because delegates also defeated a motion to specifically reinstate Dr Chua as deputy president. Party secretary-general Wong Foon Meng told reporters that this meant Dr Chua would be reinstated as an ordinary member but not as deputy president. Dr Chua said in a short statement on his blog that he accepted the decision of party delegates. Ong was evasive when asked if he would resign after losing the confidence vote. "You cannot simply don't follow what I say," he answered in cryptic fashion to a question of whether he was resigning.

Both Ong and Wong said the party central committee would meet soon to discuss the implication's of today's EGM vote. Wong later announced that the central committe meeting will be held on Thursday Oct 15. "Any development and action to be taken will be discussed collectively by the central committee. "There is nothing much we can elaborate on at this juncture," said Ong. Ong had lost the vote of no-confidence motion by 1151 against 1141 votes.
The delegates also voted by 1204 against 1095 votes to approve the motion to annul the Presidential Council's decision to sack Dr Chua and the subsequent central committee decision to suspend Dr Chua instead. But delegates surprisingly voted by 1184 against 1110 votes against reinstating Dr Chua as deputy president.

While it may appear to be Barisan Nasional’s (BN) biggest nightmare come true with the second biggest party in the ruling coalition split like never before, it could also provide an opening for the party to move forward. The central committee may decide to appoint an interim president and vice-presidents Liow Tiong Lai and Kong Cho Ha have already been mentioned as possible candidates. But what is clear from today's results is that the biggest loser is Ong who while he has not immediately done so will have to resign. Dr Chua may not have been reinstated as the party No 2 but he has shown that he remains a potent force in the party and Ong had made a mistake in trying to sideline him. But uncertain days lie ahead for MCA with both camps not expected to give up the fight easily. Source: The Malaysian Insider 10/10/09

Politics: DAP 'The Rocket' Newspaper

Today when I am having dinner with Kimmy at Kepong, I was amazed when this newspaper vendor came and sell newspapers. I taught he was selling those normal dailies but this time I was shocked to see The Rocket newspaper. Without any hesitation, I bought the dailies and it costs me about RM2.00. It's very worth it as you can see the news coverage which was partially being covered at the local dailies. It is also your alternative information where you can actually see what the DAP and Pakatan Rakyat had done so far for the rakyat. It will be published every month once.

In this month's edition of The Rocket newspaper, we can see a full coverage of the Teoh Beng Hock death and DAP wanted the BN government to find out who is actual murderer. It was truly shameful for the government for unable to get the murderer at the moment. While reading the newspaper, I was so angry with the BN government for unable to act wisely and suspect Beng Hock to kill himself. I hope the DAP and Pakatan Rakyat will fight till the end to find out who is real murderer. Besides, it also cover the PKFZ issues as well as some comments from the DAP leaders regarding some current issues. It's a very informative newspaper and don't be surprised that the DAP had done a great job in coming up such a newspaper for the Rakyat to let them know what is happening now.

So besides getting from the newspaper vendor (who walking around) who you will find in restaurants, you can also get in some of the newspaper sellers or shops around you in major supermarkets as well in major towns. Remember to grab a copy for yourself and start to know what is HIDDEN and COVERED! Bravo DAP & Bravo Pakatan Rakyat! We will support you! :) RATING: 5/5

Politics: Nazri vows BN will keep ISA, pro-ISA man gets to palace

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — Police have crushed an anti-ISA rally that turned the capital into a battlezone with tear gas and water cannon while allowing a pro-ISA activist through to the Istana Negara as Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz defiantly said Barisan Nasional will keep the security law as it was “necessary”. “As long as Barisan Nasional is leading the government, the ISA will not be abolished,” Nazri told reporters in Kota Kinabalu, in an immediate reaction to the rally in the capital city. The Prime Minister’s Department minister claimed the rally was an attempt by the opposition to undermine the administration of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who has promised to review the security law passed 49 years ago. The 15,000-strong crowd at various flash points later dispersed under the watchful eyes of the police as an eerie calm smothered a chaotic afternoon of clashes and chases. Pakatan Rakyat leaders such as PKR’s Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, PAS chief Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang and DAP’s Lim Kit Siang, who could not make it to the Istana Negara, headed to the PAS headquarters in the city that was locked down to prevent the rally. They earlier sought shelter from baton-wielding riot police as panicked shopkeepers hurriedly shuttered their outlets. Police had fired tear gas and used water cannons at several flashpoints nearby to quell a rally protesting the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA).

But surprisingly, the police allowed the legal adviser of the pro-ISA group, Mohd Khairul Azamdin, to go through their iron circle and hand a memo to the palace in support of the law that allows detentions without trial. As at 6pm, KL police chief Datuk Mohd Sabtu Osman said that police had arrested 438 people, including 37 women and 38 juveniles. A map showing sites where opposing rally planners indicated their groups would converge. Hadi Awang had earlier argued with police as his supporters clashed with them at the Sogo complex. DAP Socialist Youth chief Anthony Loke was earlier arrested there by police, who say 157 have been held up to 1.30pm.
Thousands more are blocked between the National Mosque and Dataran Merdeka where they were to converge with others to protest on the 49th anniversary of the security law that allows detention without trial. Several major roads leading to the city centre were closed earlier today to prevent groups supporting as well as opposing the Internal Security Act (ISA) from holding illegal assemblies. Bernama quoted a Kuala Lumpur traffic police spokesman as saying the roads, which were closed from 8am, included the Seremban-Sungai Besi highway, Jalan Kelapa Gading, Jalan Mahameru, Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Travers, Jalan Syed Putra and other roads around Istana Negara. The closure of Jalan Syed Putra caused a massive traffic jam stretching from Old Klang Road to the slip road leading to Brickfields. An irate motorist, who declined to be named, said it took her two hours to get to work. The trip normally takes 30 minutes. The police spokesman, however, said that there was congestion but it was not critical, probably because it was a rest day for many workers. By 1.30pm, some 200 protesters had gathered at Masjid Negara and police had detained around 60 people who were in possession of anti-ISA material while a leader of the pro-ISA faction was barred from showing his memorandum to the media and asked to leave the Central Market area. Overnight, police mounted roadblocks and helicopter overflights as they locked down the city while residents braced for conflicting rallies over the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA) that organisers say will culminate with memorandums being handed to the King on the 49th anniversary of the security law.
The one-million-strong Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) is ordering all its members to take part in a planned rally today to protest against the use of ISA, despite police warnings that the gathering would be illegal. Another rally is being called by maverick politician Ibrahim Ali to support the law that allows detention without trial, which ironically kept him twice in detention.

Police said all rallies are illegal, vowing to ensure they will keep the protesters off the streets.
A protester with a banner proclaiming what he thinks of the prime minister and the Internal Security Act (ISA). - Picture by Choo Choy May“We are making it compulsory and commanding all our members to take part in the rally,” PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub told reporters yesterday. Despite the order for all PAS members to show up, only 50,000 are expected at the rally which will also be attended by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, along with PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and Democratic Action Party leader Lim Kit Siang.
The Abolish ISA Movement, the organiser of the rally, is hoping for a massive turnout to call for the end of a law that allows for indefinite detention without trial while Salahuddin said PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat and Abdul Hadi have decreed that the rally was not forbidden in Islam. “It is not forbidden in Islam as the objective is to abolish the ISA. It is a noble intention,” said Salahuddin. Protesters will gather at the Sogo shopping mall in the heart of the old city centre here before marching to the palace to hand over a memorandum to Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, urging him to repeal the Act. While Salahuddin vowed that it would be a peaceful gathering, the authorities remained concerned about possible tensions arising between the anti-ISA demonstrators and a second group which will also march today in support of the ISA.
Pewaris, an umbrella body of Malay and Muslim non-governmental organisations, will stage its own gathering in Kuala Lumpur to fight for the retention of the security law. It is also planning to march towards the palace. The Home Ministry has warned that it would not hesitate to take stern action against the participants of the illegal rallies. “If they violate the law, stern action will be taken against them, no matter if they are pro-ISA or contra-ISA,” Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein warned. “I will not compromise on this until the security and interests of the country are assured.” Thousands of anti-ISA protesters marching peacefully along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman today, before the police crackdown. Yesterday, police started setting up roadblocks at key entry points into the city as part of efforts to prevent supporters from entering and causing massive traffic jams around Kuala Lumpur and neighbouring areas. “All those planning to attend the illegal gatherings must be prepared to face stern action from us, regardless if they are for or against the use of the ISA. We will not compromise as far as security is concerned,” said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan. KL police chief Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman has also warned that police will stop and detain buses suspected of ferrying protesters. Critics have said that the ISA is being used by the government against political opponents. The government has argued that it is a crucial tool in fighting terrorism and ensuring national security. Human rights groups estimate at least 17 people remain in detention under ISA, mainly for alleged links to Islamic militants and forgery. Source: The Malaysian Insider 1/8/09

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My Comments: The rally is held in conjunction with the Anti ISA Campaign by the Pakatan Rakyat. I believe this is a right way because this is to show how rakyat was so unhappy about the ISA which had not being abolished. I never protest this rally and it's a thumbs up (Good Job!) from the Pakatan Rakyat. The police have their rights to just see how they flared and not just simply detained or fired water cannons or tear gases towards them. About 400++ were detained in that illegal gathering. I strongly disagreed with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's view to review the ISA. It's all bullshit and in the end who will benefit? Is Najib going to continue to use ISA to kill someone this time? After Atalunya case and Beng Hock's murder case, is Najib will continue to kill the innocent? You judge yourself. I just hope a new change of Pakatan Rakyat could fulfill the rakyat's wish and in the next general election, we hope that BN will lose its majority.

Politics: PAS wins by 65 votes

Manek Urai: PAS wins by 65 votes

By Adib Zalkapli

KUALA KRAI, July 14 — PAS has retained the Manek Urai state seat by a wafer-thin margin of 65, or 0.61 per cent of votes cast, despite earlier predictions of a thumping win for the Islamist party. PAS polled 5,348 against Umno’s 5,283. Last year the party defeated Barisan Nasional (BN) by 1,352 votes. The close win showed PAS had just managed to fend off an onslaught from the BN and Umno machinery bent on taking full advantage of schisms in the Islamist party and among its Pakatan Rakyat (PR) partners. Commenting on the narrow margin, Datuk Husam Musa accused BN of vote buying during the by-election campaign.

“I am very proud of the Manek Urai voters who have shown their strength in resisting BN’s offers,” he told reporters at the counting centre. He claimed that money was distributed to the voters on the eve of polling day. On PAS’s defeat in two polling districts – Manek Urai Baru and Lama – where BN has promised to build a new bridge to replace an old single lane bridge, Husam said: “Now BN has to build the bridge.” He added that the result would not affect Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat’s leadership in the state. PAS candidate Fauzi Abdullah said he would serve all his constituents equally. Meanwhile Election Commission chief Tan Sri Aziz Yusof said there was no need for a recount despite the small margin. “There was no recount, it can only be done if the margin is less than four per cent at the polling stream level, not the total,” Aziz told reporters. He said BN was welcomed to challenge the results.

Tonight’s results will help strengthen Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat’s position in the Islamist party against rival factions who are keen on working more closely with Umno.
Umno had been hoping for a win today to give BN a boost by winning its first by-election in the peninsula since last year’s general elections. Bolstered by a recent opinion poll showing an improved approval rating for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Umno had wanted to make the Manek Urai vote a major turning point in its quest to regain lost ground from a Pakatan Rakyat (PR) wracked by major infighting. Tonight’s win for PAS will give PR some breathing space as it attempts to consolidate after a month which saw the alliance partners openly squabbling with each other over various issues. Source: The Malaysian Insider 14/7/09

POLITICS: Fastest ejected MP in Dewan Rakyat history

Fastest ejected MP in Dewan Rakyat history

By : V. Vasudevan

DEWAN RAKYAT, Mon:

Former Perak menteri besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin made history today as the fastest ever to be thrown out of the Dewan Rakyat — about 10 minutes after he was sworn in as the member for Bukit Gantang.Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia ordered him off for two days for causing rowdy behaviour in the chamber.

Also shown the door for violating the House dress code were seven of Nizar’s Pakatan Rakyat colleagues. They, too, will be out till Wednesday.Immediately after taking the oath, Nizar tied a black headband around his songkok and shouted “hidup rakyat, bubar dewan!” while raising his left arm.It caught everyone by surprise including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who was at his seat waiting to reply to two queries during Question Time.Pandikar Amin told Nizar to remove the headband at once. Nizar obliged but his former exco members in the Perak state government, Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (DAP-Beruas) and Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Taiping), started shouting similar slogans, raising an uproar as angry backbenchers shouted back at the opposition.The two were ordered to leave after refusing to heed Pandikar Amin’s admonition to stop their unparliamentary conduct.

He also instructed Nizar, who had just taken his seat, to do the same. Nizar walked out without protest. Datuk Mahfuz Omar (Pas-Pokok Sena) was the next to be shown the exit when the shouting continued.Pandikar Amin then instructed opposition members wearing headbands and armbands with the words “Bubar Dun“ to remove them or be ejected by the chair.“You are expected to be attired properly in the Dewan. You cannot be dressed like this in the chamber,” he said.But N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai), Dr Hatta Ramli (Pas-Kuala Krai), Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad (Pas-Kuala Selangor) refused to remove the headbands and armbands and were immediately told to leave.Khalid Samad (Pas-Shah Alam), Chong Cheing Jen (DAP-Kuching) and Teo Nie Cheng (DAP-Serdang) and Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Lembah Pantai) walked out in solidarity with their Pakatan colleagues.Pandikar Amin refused to deliver the traditional welcoming speech to Nizar as a new member.“Traditionally after an MP is sworn in, the Speaker welcomes the new member, and in the welcoming speech, the Speaker will speak of his hope that the new member will be able to contribute to the House.“But this morning I find it difficult to say this. Look at the behaviour of the member who was a mentri besar. I don’t care how you behave outside the House, but inside the Parliament please watch your behaviour,” he said to much table-thumping from backbenchers.House security also cleared the lobby of anyone who sported the headbands and armbands calling for the Perak legislative assembly to be dissolved.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he was puzzled why Pandikar Amin found the headbands and armbands offensive.“It can be done in other parliaments but not ours. Why is this so? It is the MPs’ right to wear these armbands to protest anywhere in Parliament,” he said.Later in the lobby, Pandikar Amin said Parliament was not a street market.“It caused a 20-minute delay. The headband is not allowed. We have to be dignified when in Parliament. You come in, you bow and address others as Yang Berhormat. When you leave you bow. This is not a market,” he said.In reply to Anwar, Pandikar Amin said: “If they want to do that, they can go to the other parliaments. Be parliamentarians there.” Stories courtesy of New Straits Times Press

POLITICS: Zaid joins PKR

Zaid joins PKR

KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — Former Umno minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has joined PKR, in a boost to the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced Zaid's decision today at a special PKR congress here, saying it will help improve ties between the three PR parties. Zaid said he felt he would be most effective in PKR which fits his ideals and chose the party because he knows Anwar is a good man. “It’s also multinational party with a wide Malay base, a young party with plenty of room to expand.” he said. He said he was looking forward to playing the role of strengthening the relationship between Pakatan Rakyat’s coalition partners. Zaid resigned from the Barisan Nasional (BN) cabinet last year in protest against the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and was subsequently sacked from Umno.

During his short tenure as minister, he attempted to introduce reforms to the judiciary and pushed for compensation to be paid to judges sacked during the 1988 judiciary crisis.
But it is his role as a reformist and moderate which is expected to be a big boost for PR as Anwar attempts to put the opposition alliance’s agenda for reform back on track. The PR alliance has been beset by crisis in recent weeks with PAS and DAP leaders at loggerheads over the Islamist party’s attempts to hold talks with Umno on Malay unity. Anwar will be hoping Zaid can help bridge the differences between the secular and Chinese dominated DAP and the Islamist Malay PAS. Zaid said today he was ready to help make PR a better alternative to BN. He said he had friends in both PAS as well as DAP and feels he can play a meaningful role. “The first step is to be better friends before we can move forward.” he said.

Meanwhile Anwar said Zaid’s entry was a positive development and would provide a boost to PKR. “Zaid has a reputation for fighting for human rights and for the independence of the judiciary.” He said PKR could use Zaid’s experience and exposure. Anwar said Zaid’s role with Pakatan Rakyat would be formalised only after discussions with other component parties to be held next week. He added that the PKR president would also decide on Zaid’s formal role in PKR. However due to his experience Zaid is expected to be given a seat in the party’s supreme council and political bureau. Stories courtesy of The Malaysian Insider.