'Kerusi DUN Kajang Dikosongkan Untuk Penuhi Nafsu Politik Anwar - Ahli Akademik', Bernama, 29 Januari 2014

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 Jan (Bernama) -- Tindakan PKR menamakan Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sebagai calon untuk mengisi kekosongan kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Kajang hanyalah bagi kepentingan pemimpin parti itu.

Penganalisis politik Prof Madya Dr Sivamurugan Pandian berkata PKR sebagai sebuah parti politik seharusnya menghormati sistem demokrasi secara lebih bertanggungjawab walaupun proses pilihan raya kecil dibenarkan.

"Dalam proses mahukan perubahan, wajar diangkat menjadi wakil rakyat yang bersedia untuk berkhidmat dan bukan untuk percaturan politik sendiri," katanya ketika dihubungi Bernama di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas tindakan PKR yang menamakan anggota Parlimen Permatang Pauh itu untuk menduduki kerusi DUN Kajang yang dikosongkan penyandangnya Lee Chin Cheh pada Isnin.

Semalam Menteri Besar Selangor Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim ketika mengumumkan perkara itu berkata pemilihan Anwar dibuat selepas dipersetujui Majlis Pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat dalam mesyuarat yang diadakan.

Lee memenangi kerusi itu pada pilihan raya umum Mei lepas dengan majoriti 6,824 undi dalam pertembungan enam penjuru dengan Barisan Nasional (BN), Berjasa dan tiga calon bebas.

Sivamurugan yang juga pensyarah di Pusat Pengajian Sains Kemasyarakatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) berkata dalam transisi perubahan landskap politik, pengundi perlu melakukan penilaian menyeluruh jika mahukan politik yang berhemah.

Sementara itu, Dr Amini Amir Abdullah dari Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) pula berpendapat pengosongan kerusi DUN Kajang tidak lebih daripada percaturan licik PKR bagi menunaikan hasrat atau tujuan politik individu tertentu, khususnya Anwar.

Beliau berkata jika Anwar memenangi pilihan raya kecil itu, beliau sekali lagi akan ditabalkan sebagai hero yang boleh menyelesaikan setiap kemelut dalam PKR dan pentadbiran kerajaan yang ditunjangi parti itu di Selangor.

"Namun, persoalan yang harus ditanya ialah mengapa rakyat atau pengundi di Kajang dijadikan mangsa sedangkan kepercayaan dan sokongan yang diberikan kepada wakil rakyat sebelum ini dimusnahkan begitu sahaja tanpa penjelasan jelas kenapa kerusi itu dikosongkan," katanya.

Pensyarah Fakulti Ekologi Manusia itu berkata isu anggota PKR mempermainkan kepercayaan rakyat dengan meletak jawatan sebagai Adun atau Anggota Parlimen menjadi trend sejak Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail mengosongkan kerusi Parlimen Permatang Pauh pada tahun 2008 bagi memberi laluan kepada suaminya itu.

Selain Permatang Pauh dan Kajang seorang lagi wakil rakyat PKR yang meletak jawatan ialah Adun Penanti Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin yang ketika itu merupakan Timbalan Ketua Menteri 1 Pulau Pinang dan Exco kerajaan negeri.

Pengerusi Parti Gerakan Pulau Pinang Teng Chang Yeow pula menyifatkan tindakan pakatan pembangkang itu semata-mata menggunakan pilihan raya kecil untuk menyelesaikan masalah dalaman PKR.

"Pengundi-pengundi di Selangor harus bijak membuat pemilihan dan penilaian kerana apa yang sedang berlaku dan akan berlaku hanyalah semata-mata untuk kepentingan parti," katanya.

Setiausaha Badan Perhubungan Umno Pulau Pinang Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir berkata rakyat jangan terperangkap dengan sandiwara PKR terutama Anwar yang hanya mengambil kesempatan.

"Di Permatang Pauh pun berapa kali sahaja Anwar balik melawat kawasan, ini pula mahu menjadi Adun dan bercita-cita nak jadi menteri besar di Selangor, memang tidak balik terus lah ke kawasannya di sini (Permatang Pauh)," katanya.

Naib presiden MIC Datuk M.Saravanan berkata rakyat boleh menilai sendiri budaya mementingkan individu yang diamalkan pembangkang.

Katanya pengosongan kerusi Parlimen atau DUN hanya boleh dibuat dengan sebab-sebab yang kukuh antaranya faktor kesihatan wakil rakyat sehingga menyebabkan beliau mengundurkan diri dan kematian wakil rakyat.

"Sekiranya pilihan raya kecil diadakan di Kajang kelak maka ia merupakan masa yang tidak sesuai ketika rakyat kini sedang menghadapi kos sara hidup yang tinggi dan merupakan satu pembaziran wang kerajaan," katanya.

Sehubungan itu, beliau berkata anggota MIC akan turun padang bertemu pengundi di Kajang untuk memberi penjelasan tentang isu semasa khususnya langkah kerajaan membantu rakyat mengurangkan beban menghadapi kos sara hidup sekarang.

Sementara itu Presiden Kongres Melayu Pulau Pinang Rahmad Isahak berkata pengundi-pengundi di DUN Kajang akan dijadikan 'kambing hitam' demi mencapai cita-cita politik Anwar.

"Persoalannya, kenapa harus bekas penyandang kerusi tersebut dijadikan mangsa sedangkan tiada liabiliti yang mengharuskan kerusi tersebut perlu dikosongkan kalau tidak kerana Datuk Seri Anwar bercita-cita menjadi Menteri Besar Selangor," katanya dalam satu kenyataan di sini hari ini.

Rahmad berkata tindakan Anwar itu juga diibaratkan sebagai 'mengata dulang paku serpih' apabila sebelum ini pakatan pembangkang lantang mengkritik kerajaan pusat berhubung kenaikan harga barangan serta Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya yang didakwa mereka melakukan penipuan.

Di KOTA KINABALU, Timbalan Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan Umno Sabah Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Tun Said Keruak membidas pakatan pembangkang yang memperkotak-katikkan pengundi di DUN Kajang dan menyifatkan peletakan jawatan Lee sebagai satu lagi 'wayang pembangkang'.

"Kita dapat melihat dengan jelas rentetan peristiwa ini sebagai satu wayang yang disusun skripnya... setelah gagal dalam percubaannya ke Putrajaya, Anwar kini menuju ke kerusi Menteri Besar Selangor, setidak-tidaknya dia boleh menggunakan kuasa dan kedudukan di sana untuk survival politiknya," katanya dalam satu kenyataan di sini.

-- BERNAMA

'Kajang By-election: A Move To Satisfy Anwar's Political Ambitions - Academicians', Bernama, 29 Januari 2014

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- The move by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in nominating opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the yet to be announced Kajang state seat by-election is only to serve the interests of the de facto leader of the party, according to some academics.

Political analyst Associate Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said PKR as a political party should respect the system of democracy even though the process of by-elections is permitted.

"In the process of wanting change, it should be to serve the people and not as a personal chess game," he said when contacted by Bernama here Wednesday.

Sivamurugan, who is a lecturer at the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), was commenting on the action of PKR in naming the member of Parliament for Permatang Pauh as their candidate for the seat which fell vacant following incumbent Lee Chin Cheh's resignation on Monday.

Lee is also from the PKR.

Tuesday, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim when announcing the matter, said the selection of Anwar was made after it was agreed upon by Pakatan Rakyat's Leadership Council.

Lee won the seat in the general election last May with a majority of 6,824 votes in a six-corner fight with candidates from Barisan Nasional (BN), Berjasa and three independents.

Meanwhile, Dr Amini Amir Abdullah of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) said forcing the Kajang state seat to be vacant was no more than a slick political chess game of PKR to fulfill the desire of an individual, specifically Anwar.

He said if Anwar were to win the by-election, he would once again be crowned a hero which could solve a PKR crisis in the state administration led by the party in Selangor.

"Nonetheless, the question which should be asked is why are the people or voters in Kajang made the victims when they have put their trust and support in the previous representative who resigned without any explanation.

The Human Ecology Faculty lecturer said PKR has been playing with the trust of the people since Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail resigned as Permatang Pauh MP in 2008 to give way to her husband (Anwar).

Apart from Permatang Pauh and Kajang, another PKR representative who resigned was Penanti state assemblyman Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin. He was Penang Deputy Chief Minister I when he quit.

Meanwhile, Penang Gerakan chairman Teng Chang Yeow said the opposition coalition was merely using the by-election to solve an internal problem in PKR.

"The voters in Selangor should wise up in their decision as this is merely a party matter," he said.

Penang Umno Liaison secretary Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir said the people should not be trapped with PKR's drama, especially Anwar, who was taking advantage of the situation.

He said the Kajang by-election was deliberately being forced to enable Anwar achieve his ambition at the expense of the people.

MIC vice-president Datuk M.Saravanan said the people could see for themselves the selfish culture practised by the opposition.

"Should the by-election be held in Kajang, it would be a waste of precious government resources when the people are facing rising costs of goods.

Meanwhile, Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak said voters in Kajang have become the sacrificial lambs for Anwar to achieve his ambition.

"The episode is not about democracy but a move to satisfy the desire of a regressive politician," he said.

In KOTA KINABALU, Sabah Umno Liaison deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Tun Said Keruak hit out at the opposition coalition for abusing the people in Kajang and described the resignation of the state assemblyman in the constituency as an opposition drama.

He said the resignation of Lee Chin Cheh was at the behest of Anwar and the developments in the last few days were just drama script being played out.

"It appears that after Anwar, who had failed to take Putrajaya, is eyeing the Selangor Menteri Besar post in desperation for power and political survival," he said in a statement.



-- BERNAMA

'EXCITING BY-ELECTION BECKONS: There’s More To Kajang Than SATAY', Malaysian Chronicle, 29 January 2014

Wednesday, 29 January 2014            

   

 

WHO is not familiar with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim? He is still the Opposition leader who is a force to be reckon with. Proficient, intelligent and an essential figure in the Malaysian political scene despite having decades of controversy and challenges in realising his political ambitions.

Recently, Anwar sparked yet another bold move when he announced to contest the DUN Kajang seat just two days after the former Kajang State Assembly member Lee Chin Cheh unexpected resignation.

In this first month of 2014, Anwar’s candidacy is seen as a surprise. It is as if he is looking for a stepping stone to achieve 'something' that is far greater than a de-facto leader.

A Consolation Prize?

Former New Straits Times Press’ group editor-in-chief, Datuk A. Kadir Jasin wrote in his blog recently about his views on Anwar's move to contest in Kajang. He saw it as an acknowledgment of defeat by Anwar who fails to become the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

.Over the years, most Malaysians are fully aware of Anwar’s aspirations to grasp the power as the cabinet’s most senior position in his hand. This ambition of Anwar was incepted even in the earlier days of Anwar's involvement in the Malaysian political arena, in the 1980’s.

To Kadir, the announcement of him running in the Kajang soon-to-be-held by-election is somewhat an unspoken 'compensation' prize due to his failure to be Prime Minister. If he succeeds, Anwar is likely to take over Selangor Mentri Besar’s position fromTan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

In a packed press conference held yesterday, both Anwar and Khalid denied this possibility to ever materialized.

Through his blog, Kadir felt that Anwar’s 'enemy' might think Anwar’s latest rendezvous is an act to compensate his need to be the prime minister which has yet to be fulfilled.

The implication of Anwar’s move might be of something interesting for Malaysians to witness. Kadir also explained that if Anwar did win the Kajang by-election, he will be a better outfit than Khalid to run Selangor given his years of experience.

"This is a ​​great sacrifice for Anwar because all these years, all he wanted in politics was to become a Prime Minister,” Kadir wrote on his blog.

The Wicked Mastermind

Prof Madya Dr Ismail SualmanPolitical analyst Dr. Ismail Sualman believed that Anwar’s nomination yesterday is the first step towards being the Selangor Mentri Besar.

He said the nomination was not a coincidence but it was carefully planned by Anwar.

"Anwar’s plan to regain his lost power began when he was appointed as the Selangor government economic planning in 2008 for a fee of only RM1 per month," said Ismail.

The conflict between PKR’s deputy president Azmin Ali and Khalid are also just a ‘distraction’

"The struggle in his party is all planned, as well as the dismissal of Azmin is just to make way for Anwar to lead Selangor,” he said.

Ismail added that Azmin and Khalid dispute was presented only through on the media but he reckoned the truth is the two are not hateful to each other as reported.

Exploiting Democracy

Ismail also said Anwar's move to contest in Kajang by removing Lee showcases him as someone who had tarnished the very value of democracy.

"He traded the trust and mandate given by the people for PKR’s own benefit," he said.

What’s more, Lee’s resignation was a total surprise and Lee’s ambiguous reasons for doing so had raised thousands of questions.

BN Must Now Prepare

Ismail urged BN to keep their eyes open and to think out-of-the-box. They have to start playing the ‘game’ smartly. He thinks it is not smart for BN to take the matters lightly and the ruling party must stop ridiculing PKR’s conflict while ignoring their own.

As a proactive measure, BN should start thinking of candidates suited to ‘fight’ Anwar in Kajang. The most important aspect to consider is; how can they woo the people of Kajang and ways to fish for their votes.

"I hope the people of Kajang will choose wisely," Ismail said.

Is Anwar Fit To Be A Menteri Besar?

Profesor Madya Dr Sivamurugan Pandian. Pic: TMIWith many speculations going around predicting Anwar to be Selangor Menteri Besar if he were to win Kajang by-election, some wonder, is he eligible to be the head of Selangor’s office?

Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst, Dr. Sivamurugan Pandian was unsure of Anwar’s eligibility to be Selangor Menteri Besar. He said one of the main criteria to hold the position is; the candidates must be a resident of the state. Anwar was born in Penang and his current residence is in Kuala Lumpur.

“If he wins and wants to be a Mentri Besar, he first need to ask for the consent of Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah,” said Sivamurugan.

According to him, Anwar’s plan to be Mentri Besar may also be a move to help stabilize the relationship between Azmin and Khalid.

"I am confident that PKR Supreme Council has a strong reason to choose him as a candidate to run for the Kajang seat", he told mD.

What Do The People Of Kajang think?

Suhaimi Daud, 38, who hails from Kajang said Anwar’s nomination to replace Lee was not appropriate and he felt the decision as a move from a greedy man.

He said Anwar is not fit to lead Kajang because the opposition leader does not come from there.

"He is the Permatang Pauh MP, what does he want in Kajang?", he questioned Anwar.

"For me, it doesn’t matter who's running, but it is better if we can give an opportunity to the locals to represent their own people," he explained to mD.

It is different for Zamanhuri Yaacob who is in his 50s. He fully supports the nomination of Anwar.

"I am sure Anwar is the right candidate to bring about improvements here especially with his vast experience,” he said.

He also believed that there are a lot of Anwar supporters in Kajang.

Zamanhuri felt that the Kajang local people are confident with the promises of Pakatan Rakyat and one of it is to offer free education.

"If our children’s education is free ... there is no need for parents to apply for loans," he said to mD.

Meanwhile, Hiew Chew Kuang argued that Anwar’s road to fame will not be easy in winning the Kajang by-election. He felt Anwar's chances of winning the seat is 50-50.

"Though he is seen as a caliber and charismatic leader, but many of my friends do not like his character and his personal problems,"   he said.

He pointed out that while the majority of the voters in Kajang are Chinese and are expected to favour Anwar, the community must also weigh in Anwar’s personal nature and character.

"It is also better to have someone with a good character to lead us," he said.

Twitter Users Are Not Happy

Twitter users have been reported to be confused and unhappy with Anwar’s move to fill the DUN seat in Kajang. These are some of their responses:

.@ IhsanHuhu: "Seriously I trust more than PKR DAP. # You do not take people's trust awnings for granted. Surely we wat cans until PRU14 for any reshuffling."

@ Beckyilham: "So as an MP, do you serve the people or the power hungry leader in your party? # Francisco", he wrote.

Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang @ tankengliang: "PR leaders should come up with a crystal clear explanation on # Kajang fiaso. Just be honest and man up! Otherwise, face the consequences.

@ Mdsaifullah9: "You do not remember Voter anger to? Have to 'waste' time to go vote for PRK because Honourable Assembly # awnings resign," he wrote.- Malaysian Digest

.

'Kejutan Tahun Baru Cina Anwar', Malaysian Digest, 29 Januari 2014

Siti Nur Sarah Mohd Khir

 

Anwar Ibrahim, makin hampir ke matlamat utama. Pic: Faisol Mustafa/mDSIAPA yang tidak kenal dengan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, ketua pembangkang yang bukan calang-calang orangnya.

Beliau ialah seorang yang petah berbahasa, bijak dan masih mampu memberi impak yang kuat di Malaysia walau sudah berdekad bergelumang dengan kontroversi dan onak ranjau dalam merealisasikan impian politiknya.

Terkini, beliau mencetuskan senario sensasi terbaru apabila diumumkan akan bertanding merebut kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Kajang yang baru dua hari dikosongkan bekas ahli DUN Kajang Lee Chin Chen.

Di awal tahun 2014 ini, tindakan Anwar itu dilihat sebagai berani, seolah-olah beliau mencari satu batu loncatan untuk menggapai ‘sesuatu’ yang lebih besar dalam genggamannya.

Atau adakah ini satu kejutan sempena Tahun Baru Cina daripada Anwar?

Jadi MB Sebagai Pampasan

Datul A. Kadir JasinBekas Ketua Pengarang Kumpulan New Straits Times Press, Datuk A. Kadir Jasin menulis dalam blognya baru-baru ini tentang tindakan Anwar bertanding di Kajang. Di mata beliau, ia dilihat sebagai akuan kalah Anwar kerana gagal menjadi Perdana Menteri Malaysia.

Saban tahun, masyarakat Malaysia sudah sedia maklum akan aspirasi Anwar yang mahu memegang kuasa sebagai menteri paling kanan dalam kabinet. Ramai yang sudah arif akan harapan Anwar ini yang berputik sejak awal pembabitannya di arena politik Malaysia.

Kesungguhan beliau untuk bertanding kerusi DUN Kajang boleh dilihat sebagai ‘pampasan’ atas kegagalan menjadi seorang Perdana Menteri. Sekiranya beliau berjaya memegang tiket Ahli Undangan Negeri, Anwar berkemungkinan besar mengambil alih jawatan Menteri Besar Selangor daripada Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Melalui tulisan blog Kadir, beliau berpendapat ‘musuh’ Anwar tentu akan berfikir yang Anwar bertindak demikian untuk memuaskan kehendaknya untuk menjadi Perdana Menteri yang masih tidak lagi kesampaian.

Kadir meramalkan implikasi tindakan Anwar itu akan menjadi susuatu yang menarik untuk tatapan umum.

Melalui blognya, Kadir juga menjelasnya, memandangkan Anwar lebih berpengalaman berbanding Khalid mungkin tindakan Anwar itu menjadikannya lebih layak untuk menerajui pentadbiran Negeri Selangor.

"Anwar membuat pengorbanan besar kerana matlamat beliau sejak menyertai Umno pada 1982 ialah untuk menjadi perdana menteri,” tulisnya.

Perancangan Teliti Seorang Genius

Penganalisis Politik Dr. Ismail Sualman yang dihubingi penulis bersutuju dengan anggapan yang pencalonan Anwar lewat petang semalam adalah sebagai langkah pertama beliau untuk bergelar Menteri Besar.

Prof Madya Dr Ismail SualmanKatanya, pencalonan itu bukan satu kebetulan tetapi sudah dirancang dengan teliti.

"Perancangan Anwar bermula sejak beliau dilantik sebagai perancang ekonomi kerajaan Selangor lagi pada tahun 2008 dengan bayaran sebanyak RM1 sebulan,” jelas Ismail.

Konflik yang berlaku antara Timbalan Presiden PKR Azmin Ali dan Khalid juga hanyalah sandiwara dalam PKR dan diumpamakan sebagai pendahuluan kepada ceritera cita-cita Anwar.

"Pergelutan dalam PKR adalah sebuah agenda yang dirancang, begitu juga dengan perlucutan jawatan Azmin yang dilihat memberi laluan kepada Anwar untuk menerajui Selangor.

Tambahnya lagi, Azmin dan Khalid hanya berbalah menerusi media sahaja namun hakikatnya hubungan kedua-dua mereka tidak seperti yang dilaporkan.

Pengeksploitasian Demokrasi

Ismail juga berkata, tindakan Anwar yang mahu bertanding di pilihanraya kecil Kajang memperlihatkan beliau sebagai seorang yang berhati kering dan tidak mempedulikan mandat yang diberikan kepada PKR sebelum ini melalui system demokrasi.

"Anwar seperti berhati kering untuk bertanding, memperdagangkan mandat rakyat hanya untuk menguntungkan PKR", katanya.

Timbul tanda tanya sama ada perletakan jawatan Lee disebabkan kerelaannya sendiri atau atas tekanan daripada Majlis Pimpinan PKR.

Tindakan bekas Adun Kajang Lee pula yang tidak mengumumkan sendiri perletakkan jawatannya seolah-olah tidak menghormati amanat rakyat dan menimbulkan seribu tanda tanya.

BN Perlu Bersedia

Dalam pada itu Ismail juga menggesa BN supaya bangun dari mimpi dan melihat permainan Anwar ini dengan mata yang terbuka dan menilai setiap pergerakan Anwar dengan bijak. Beliau berfikir adalah tidak wajar untuk BN memandang enteng percaturan terbaru Anwar ini dan berterusan mentertawakan pergelutan PKR.

Sebagai langkah proaktif, BN harus mula memikirkan calon sesuai dan sama handal untuk bertanding bersama Anwar di piliharaya kecil Kajang yang akan dijalankan tidak lama lagi. Aspek terpenting untuk difikirkan ialah langkah-langkah untuk mengambil hati penduduk Kajang dan secara tidak langsung memancing undi mereka.

"Saya harap rakyat Kajang juga terbuka dan menjadi hakim terhadap permainan ini", katanya semalam.

Bolehkah Anwar Jadi Menteri Besar Selangor?

Wujud keraguan sama ada Anwar memenuhi kriteria untuk menjadi Menteri Besar sekiranya beliau berjaya memenangi kerusi DUN Kajang itu.

Penganalisis politik Universiti Sains Malaysia, Dr. Sivamurugan Pandian berkata antara kriteria yang paling utama untuk menjadi Menteri Besar ialah; calon perlu mempunyai kerakyatan negeri itu.

"Saya tidak pasti di dalam undang-undang tubuh negeri mensyaratkan ahli politik yang mahu menjadi MB mempunyai kad pengenalan yang membuktikan beliau seorang pemastautin di Selangor,” jelas Sivamurugan.

Katanya lagi, sekiranya Anwar memenangi kerusi itu beliau masih perlu mendapat perkenan daripada Sultan Selangor, DYMM Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, terlebih dahulu sebelum boleh dilantik sebagai Menteri Besar yang sah.

Profesor Madya Dr Sivamurugan Pandian. Pic: TMIMenurut Sivamurugan, keputusan Anwar untuk bertanding mungkin untuk menstabilkan hubungan di antara Azmin dan Khalid.

"Saya yakin Majlis Tertinggi PKR ada sebab yang kuat memilih Anwar sebagai calon untuk bertanding", katanya kepada mD.

Apa Kata Rakyat?

Suhaimi Daud, 38, yang berasal dari Kajang berkata pencalonan Anwar menggantikan Lee adalah tidak wajar dan dia merasakan keputusan Anwar itu membuktikan beliau seorang yang tamak.

Katanya, Anwar tidak sesuai di Kajang kerana ketua pembangkang itu bukan berasal dari sana.

"Dia sudah jadi Ahli Parlimen Permatang Pauh, apa yang dia mahu di Kajang?", soalnya.

"Bagi saya, tidak menjadi masalah siapa yang bertanding tetapi kalau boleh berilah peluang kepada penduduk tempatan untuk menjadi wakil rakyat kami", jelasnya kepada mD.

Namun begitu berlainan pula dengan Zamanhuri Yaacob yang berusia dalam lingkungan 50-an. Beliau menyokong penuh pencalonan Anwar di kawasannya.

"Saya yakin Anwar adalah calon yang tepat untuk membawa pembaharuan di sini tambah-tambah lagi dengan pengalaman luas yang beliau miliki,” kata Zamanhuri.

Beliau juga berpendapat penduduk di Kajang kebanyakkannya terdiri daripada penyokong Pakatan Rakyat dan majoriti daripada mereka adalah penyokong Anwar.

Zamanhuri berpendapat ramai orang tempatan Kajang memaklumkan kepada beliau yang mereka tertarik dengan janji Pakatan Rakyat yang menawarkan pendidikan percuma kepada anak Selangor.

"Kalau Anwar jadi Menteri Besar, pendidikan anak-anak akan jadi percuma...jika dapat tawaran masuk Universiti tak perlu ibu bapa buat pinjaman", katanya kepada mD.

Sementara itu, Chew Hiew Kuang berpendapat laluan Anwar tidak akan menjadi semudah yang disangka selepas diumumkan sebagai calon untuk bertanding kerusi DUN Kajang.

Katanya, peluang Anwar untuk memenangi kerusi itu adalah 50-50.

."Walaupun Anwar dilihat sebagai pemimpin yang berkaliber dan berpengalaman luas, namun ramai diantara kawan-kawan saya yang tidak suka dengan perwatakan serta masalah peribadi beliau sebelum ini,” katanya.

Beliau beranggapan banyak undi yang diperolehi PKR pada pilihanraya lalu majoritinya disumbangkan oleh masyarakat berbangsa Cina (rekod melaporkan terdapat 41 peratus pengundi Kajang terdiri daripada kaum Cina).

"Individu yang diletakkan sebagai calon adalah faktor yang amat penting. Selain daripada itu, adalah lebih baik sekiranya wakil rakyat kami ialah seorang yang berperwatakan baik dan bersahsiah," katanya.

Masyarakat Siber Selar Keputusan Anwar

.Pengguna laman sosial Twitter bagaimanapun dilihat mengecap tindakan Anwar mengisi kekosongan kerusi di Kajang. Masing-masing memaparkan pandangan mereka yang kebanyakkannya melihat pencalonan Anwar seperti mengiyakan spekulasi  yang mengatakan beliau bercadang untuk menjadi Menteri Besar.

Berikut ialah luahan sebilangan pengguna Twitter:

@IhsanHuhu :"Seriously I trust DAP more than PKR. You do not take #Kajang people's trust for granted. Surely we can wat until PRU14 for any reshuffling.”

@beckyilham : "So as an MP, do you serve the people or the power hungry leader in your party?#kajang", tulisnya.

.Ketua Pemuda Gerakan, Tan Keng Liang @tankengliang:

"PR leaders should come up with a crystal clear explanation on #Kajang fiaso. Just be honest and man up! Otherwise, face the consequences.

@mdsaifullah9: " Kau ingat Pengundi tak rasa marah ke? kena 'buang' masa pergi undi untuk PRK sebab YB DUN #kajang letak jawatan", tulisnya.

.

'Experts Question Anwar's Call For Dialogue', New Straits Times, 29 January 2014

'Pengajaran Kepada Pendidik Lebih Bertanggungjawab', Sinar Harian, 28 Januari 2014

'Kangkung Kerfuffle Can’t Cause Chuckles Anymore', The Rakyat Post, 24 January 2014

 

Sean Augustin

 

    

 

 

Creative netizens turned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak into a political piñata which his rivals gleefully clobbered. For some though, especially Najib’s colleagues in the ruling coalition, the kangkung jokes have grown stale.

MCA vice-president Datin Chew Mei Fun feels the kangkung issue has been overblown, reasserting that the vegetable was merely an example.

The prime minister, she says, was trying to make it relatable  — a reason also cited by Najib himself — although she acknowledges that maybe he could have used a more appropriate example.

Najib’s message has been distorted, she adds.

“I wish people would look at the issue at hand. The government cannot be blamed for everything as there are things beyond their control.”

She, however, sympathises with the  rakyat who want a good life without any price hikes. People feel the government has not done enough.

“We have to do more,” she says.

Chew’s fellow colleague, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, describes the criticisms levelled at Najib as “ill”, stating that the jokes have gone overboard.

The former Puteri chief argues that the essence of the speech was to show that there have been positive changes.

“It may be small, but it’s there,” the Papar member of parliament says.

Although times were tough for Malaysia, it would be more beneficial to work together instead of ridiculing or bashing each other.

MIC central committee member Datuk S. Murugessan agrees that some have gone overboard with their ridiculing of the Barisan Nasional chairman.

The former MIC secretary-general says the opposition’s harping over the matter reveals it has run out of ideas to pick on.

“It also shows that its propaganda machine has a lot of time on its hands,” he says, adding there are more important issues to address.

Political analyst Dr Sivamurugan Pandian says the whole thing has evolved into a form of character assassination.

The rakyat should evaluate the prime minister based on the entire speech he made instead of a mere “20 seconds”.

Sivamurugan, however,  points out that as politics is about perception, the opposition will exploit it.

“But it can also earn Najib sympathy.”

Political analyst Dr James Chin, meanwhile, says the government cannot take credit for prices of some food items (such as kangkung) going down as they are controlled by the free market.

“At the same time, neither can the prime minister be blamed when prices go up,” he says. Najib could have come up with a better example, he adds.

Rather than go on the defensive, Najib should have humoured his critics, he says.

'Di Mana Rukun Negara', Pena Dr.Siva, Utusan Malaysia, 23 Januari 2014

'Kembalikan ISA Bukan Jalan Penyelesaian - Penganalisis', Bernama, 23 Januari 2014

 

Oleh Erda Khursyiah Basir

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- Kerajaan tidak boleh bergantung kepada undang-undang yang disifatkan zalim untuk menjadikan masyarakat patuh kerana ia hanya menunjukkan kegagalan pemerintah dalam menanam kesetiaan dan patriotisme rakyat kepada negara.

Penganalisis politik dari Universiti Putra Malaysia Prof Dr Jayum Jawan berkata proses pendidikan bagi mengasuh masyarakat mempunyai nilai kenegaraan yang sama dan nilai yang merentasi fahaman, agama dan ideologi.

"Semua mesti duduk berbincang dan menjana idea supaya apa yang lahir daripada proses itu ialah suatu idea kenegaraan milik semua, boleh dipegang bersama, dan sedia dipertahankan bersama.

"Itu cara terbaik. Bukan kurung orang dengan undang-undang kerana orang itu tidak bersependapat dengan pemerintah," katanya kepada Bernama.

Jayum mengulas saranan bekas Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yang mencadangkan kerajaan melaksanakan semula Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) bagi menangani tindakan puak ekstremis minoriti yang menjejaskan kestabilan negara.

BERDEPAN GOLONGAN BERBEZA PENDAPAT

Menyentuh sikap segelintir anak muda yang lazimnya lebih agresif dalam menyuarakan pendapat dan tidak sehaluan dengan apa yang dimahukan kerajaan, Jayum berkata golongan itu perlu difahami dan tidak dilihat sebagai menimbulkan masalah hanya disebabkan perbezaan pemikiran.

"Mereka (anak-anak muda) dilahirkan dalam zaman yang berbeza. Pemimpin perlu membuka minda untuk lebih mengenali dan memahami mereka, dekati mereka, dan kaedah semestinya tidak sama kerana anak-anak muda ini datang dengan pelbagai etnik dan latar belakang berbeza.

"Kita tidak boleh menghalang dan berpandangan sempit. Selagi pandangan dan sikap mereka tidak digunakan untuk mengacau orang lain, beri mereka 'laluan' namun jika sebaliknya, jangan beri mereka ruang untuk menyebarkan pengaruh buruk terhadap masyarakat," katanya.

Jayum berkata kerajaan perlu bersikap lebih terbuka dan belajar mendengar suara rakyat kerana jika rakyat sudah hilang kepercayaan (kepada kerajaan), maka bersedialah untuk ditukar oleh rakyat yang merupakan punca segala kuasa pemerintah.

"Kalau kerajaan berhasrat laksanakan ISA atau undang-undang seumpama itu mahu diwujudkan semula, kerajaan (Barisan Nasional) pasti akan jatuh pada pilihan raya umum akan datang," tegas Jayum.

AKTA BAHARU SEPERTI ISA

Namun berlainan pula pandangan pensyarah Kajian Politik dan Antarabangsa Universiti Utara Malaysia Md Shukri Shuib, yang berpendapat, intipati ISA yang dimansuhkan wajar diserapkan di dalam mana-mana akta yang ada hari ini atau pun mewujudkan akta baharu seakan-akan ISA.

Katanya mewujudkan akta berkaitan keselamatan dalam negeri seakan-akan ISA penting kerana kebebasan yang diberikan perlembagaan kini terbukti dianarki golongan pemusnah negara.

"Puak-puak pelampau anti perlembagaan wujud dalam mana-mana komuniti, namun akta adalah satu mekanisme undang-undang berbentuk hukuman kepada pelanggaran norma perlembagaan.

"Ini penting kerana jika tiada hukuman menerusi perlembagaan maka yang anarki akan menjadi lebih agresif, jika dibiarkan kumpulan pelampau anti perlembagaan ini berleluasa, akhirnya sentimen kaum dan agama serta budaya yang majmuk ini akan diguna pakai untuk mewujudkan kekacauan," katanya.

Beliau berkata senario pada hari ini melihat golongan yang mempertahankan hak-hak perlembagaan dianggap bersikap perkaumanan, sementara puak anti perlembagaan mengambil kesempatan untuk meluaskan aktiviti agresif mereka termasuk melalui penerbitan dan hasutan.

"Sudah terbukti menerusi pelbagai isu yang wujud hari ini, akta seperti ISA perlu diwujudkan kembali dan diberikan nama yang sesuai dengan pemikiran rakyat dan keadaan semasa," katanya.

ISA BUKAN MUSUH ANAK MUDA

Menyangkal ISA sebagai akta yang membantutkan pemikiran anak muda, Md Shukri berkata ISA bukan dilaksana untuk membenteras keberanian anak muda kerana mereka adalah aset negara.

Bersependapat dengan Jayum, Md Shukri berkata pemikiran anak muda perlu dibina menerusi pendidikan agar menjadi insan patriotik dan memahami usaha kerajaan menjaga dan memajukan negara.

"Jika anak muda mula berbeza perspektif dan pendekatan malahan mungkin terjebak dengan aktiviti membahayakan negara secara khusus, maka eloklah akta seperti ISA dibina semula, supaya semua anggota komuniti di Malaysia beroleh keamanan majoriti," katanya.

Pada masa sama, Md Shukri berpendapat sekiranya niat mengembalikan akta baharu seperti ISA dilaksanakan hanya untuk mempertahankan parti pemerintah, ia tidak baik untuk negara, kerana jika parti lain berpeluang memerintah mereka turut menggunakan akta tersebut untuk kepentingan mereka.

"Bertentangan pendapat bukan masalah, tetapi jika pertentangan itu membawa kemusnahan dan bukannya menambah baik kepada pengurusan negara dan kehidupan rakyat, maka ia adalah ekstremis. Ekstremis bukan sahaja memegang senjata dan membunuh, tapi memusnahkan perpaduan, ekonomi dan pembangunan serta sosial rakyat," katanya.

PERKUKUHKAN UNDANG-UNDANG BAHARU

Sementara itu, Pensyarah Pusat Pengajian Sains Kemasyarakatan Universiti Sains Malaysia Dr Sivamurugan Pandian berkata adalah lebih baik jika kerajaan memperkukuhkan undang-undang tertentu bagi menjamin keharmonian negara.

"Untuk mengembalikan ISA adalah sesuatu yang mustahil kerana kita baru sahaja beberapa tahun menghapuskannya... Ideologi politik yang berbeza merupakan satu pengiktirafan tetapi kita tidak boleh membelakangkan apa yang termaktub di dalam Perlembagaan dan Rukun Negara," katanya.

Beliau berkata kematangan berpolitik sangat penting supaya rakyat tidak berbeza misi nasional dan memusnahkan keharmonian yang dibina.

"Kita percaya anak-anak muda juga mahu undang-undang yang tidak menjejaskan keharmonian negara. Justeru, menjadi tanggungjawab kerajaan untuk memastikan perpaduan, keharmonian dan kestabilan negara tidak terjejas," katanya.

-- BERNAMA

'Kemungkinan wujud dua kem dalam PKR sekiranya isu berterusan, kata penganalisa', Free Malaysia Today, 22 Januari 2014

 

‘Pertembungan Khalid-Azmin mampu jejas Sgor’

Ikhwan Zulkaflee

 January 22, 2014

Kemungkinan wujud dua kem dalam PKR sekiranya isu berterusan, kata penganalisa.

PETALING JAYA: Pentadbiran negeri Selangor berkemungkinan terjejas jika ‘pertelingkahan’ antara Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim dan Azmin Ali berlanjutan tanpa penyelesaian.
Menurut penganalisa politik tanah air Profesor Madya Sivamurugan Pandian, isu ini jika berterusan, ia bakal menyebabkan rakyat hilang kepercayaan kepada kerajaan negeri tersebut.
“Ia akan menjejaskan pentadibiran negeri Selangor sekiranya ia berpanjangan, dengan beberapa kenyataan bercanggah dari pentadbiran yang dikatakan mahu telus, accountability dan sebagainya.
“Kita lihat kenyataan PKNS sendiri lain dari Khalid, Azmin dan juga Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” katanya apabila dihubungi FMT.
Beliau juga tidak menolak kemungkinan kewujudan dua kem dalam PKR selepas ini memandangkan kedua-dua pemimpin merupakan orang besar parti itu.
“Dia (PKR) boleh berpecah kerana masing-masing ada pengikut mereka sendiri. Pentadbiran negeri juga akan terganggu dengan kewujudan kem-kem ini,” tambahnya lagi.
Menurutnya, kedua-dua personaliti memiliki kekuatan masing-masing yang pastinya terdapat pengikutnya yang tersendiri.
“Kita lihat sorang kuat di peringkat negeri (Abdul Khalid) dan seorang lagi pula kuat dalam parti (Azmin),” katanya, sambil menambah perkara ini turut mampu menjejaskan hubungan di dalam Pakatan Rakyat.
Pensyarah Pusat Pengajian Sains Sosial Universiti Sains Malaysia itu turut menegaskan orang ramai harus diberitahu perkara sebenar d isebalik penyingkiran Azmin dari PKNS.
Hubungan di antara Abdul Khalid dan Azmin dilaporkan dingin sejak beberapa tahun lepas namun bertambah buruk setelah kontrak Azmin sebagai ahli Lembaga Pengarah PKNS tidak disambung.
Perkara ini menimbulkan dakwaan bahawa Abdul Khalid cuba mengurangkan pengaruh Azmin menjelang pemilihan PKR yang akan datang.
Abdul Khalid bagaimanapun menjelaskan bahawa keputusan itu merupakan keputusan Pengurus Besar PKNS Othman Omar namun ia dinafikan oleh PKNS sendiri.
Musuh politik yang sama
Sementara itu, Profesor James Chin dari Monash University berpendapat percakaran antara dua pemimpin ini tidak akan menjejaskan PKR dan pentadbiran negeri Selangor secara khusus.
Menurutnya, PKR tidak akan berpecah mengenai perkara ini kerana mereka mempunyai matlamat yang sama, untuk membentuk kerajaan pusat.
“Saya tidak rasa ia akan membahagikan PKR kepada dua kem kerana mereka masih mempunyai musuh politik yang sama. Malah, masalah terbesar Abdul Khalid ketika ini bukanlah isu ini, sebaliknya isu Allah dan juga Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS).
“Mereka berdua (Abdul Khalid dan Azmin) mempunyai cita-cita yang tinggi dan masalah ini sudah timbul sejak 2008 dahulu. Anwar sepatutnya menyelesaikan perkara ini dari awal lagi,” kata beliau.
Tambahnya lagi,  Selangor perlu mengambil ikhtibar dari kekalahan PAS di Kedah kerana perebutan kuasa di kalangan para pemimpin PAS sehingga PAS tumbang pada PRU ke 13 lalu.

Berita Harian, 20 Januari 2014

'Analysts: Azmin-Khalid squabble a red herring in ‘Allah’ dispute', The Malay Mail, 18 January 2014

malaysia

Analysts: Azmin-Khalid squabble a red herring in ‘Allah’ dispute

By Boo Su-Lyn
January 18, 2014

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim. — Picture by Choo Choy MayKUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 — The ongoing fight between PKR’s Azmin Ali and Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is merely to distract non-Muslims from the recent bibles seizure that has sparked furore against the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state government’s handling of the controversy, analysts have suggested.
Political analysts also believe that Opposition Leader and PKR de facto chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had intervened in Azmin’s termination from the board of the Selangor State Economic Development (PKNS) to contain the rivalry between the party deputy president and the head of the Selangor government.
“It is possible that this issue is being used by PKR to distract PKR non-Muslim supporters from the Allah issue,” Professor Jayum Jawan from Universiti Putra Malaysia told The Malay Mail Online today.
“PKR Selangor and the PKR-led coalition is not making a firm stand on the issue of (the) Jais raid,” added the political analyst, referring to the Selangor Islamic Religious Department’s (Jais) confiscation of over 300 Malay and Iban-language bibles from the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) on January 2.
Dr Lim Teck Ghee, director of think tank Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI), said Anwar has to quickly resolve the conflict between Azmin and Khalid because prolonged strife in the PR lynchpin would not only harm the party, but also the pact as a whole.
“This is probably the most serious case of infighting within PKR since its formation,” he told The Malay Mail Online.
“It highlights the inability of the party leadership to close ranks to meet the growing threat from Umno and its proxies. It is a distraction to the party’s need to make hard decisions on the religious divisions engulfing the country,” added Lim.
Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia agreed with Jayum and said that PR leaders always put on “shows” for the public.
“The master ‘dalang’ (mastermind), DSAI, remains the one who decides the storyline,” Shamsul Amri told The Malay Mail Online, referring to Anwar.
The PR leadership and Selangor government have been criticised for their response to the bible seizures by Jais that were conducted under a 1988 state law — which bans non-Muslims from using the word for God “Allah”, among other Arabic words — that was passed by the then Barisan Nasional (BN) government.
In a commentary on news website The Nut Graph last Monday, Jacqueline Ann Surin pointed out that Khalid took six days to make an official statement on the Jais raid, which was the second time the Islamic authorities raided premises belonging to Christian organisations.
Jais had raided the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) in 2011 over complaints that the evangelical church was proselytising to Muslims, which is illegal in the country.
“Sallehan, on behalf of the Selangor government, shied away from stating whether non-Muslims could use ‘Allah’ in Selangor,” Surin wrote, referring to Sallehan Mukhyi, who is the Selangor executive councillor for religious affairs.
“Neither did the Selangor government condemn Jais’s actions...the Selangor government has displayed a lacking in both clarity and courage,” she added.
She also noted that instead of supporting a proposal by three DAP Selangor assemblyman to amend the controversial 1988 enactment, Anwar had castigated the trio for being hasty.
At a news conference, Anwar also announced that Azmin was still a PKNS board member, despite the state-owned firm saying that a letter has been sent to the latter to inform him that the Selangor state executive council had decided on his removal last year.
Khalid said in response that he would “consider” reinstating Azmin’s position, but noted that an immediate restoration is prohibited by the PKNS Enactment.
Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, political scientist from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), said that the feud between Azmin and Khalid could worsen party infighting to the extent that Azmin’s supporters may want Khalid to step down as mentri besar.
“And the party election is around the corner as well,” he said, noting that the PKR contest is scheduled for April.
He added that the Azmin’s and Khalid’s rivalry has been going on for years. Khalid is in his second term as Selangor mentri besar after PR retained the country’s most developed state in Election 2013, since first winning it in the 2008 general election.
“Many will see as though it is done to slow down Azmin within the state,” said Sivamurugan.

Copyright © 2014 | The Malay Mail Online

'Bad Political Management To Blame For Azmin-Khalid Feud', The Rakyat Post, 17 January 2014

 

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was to blame for the on-going but often denied rift between the Selangor menteri besar and PKR Vice-President Azmin Ali.

Political analyst Dr James Chin attributed the spat between Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and the Bukit Antarabangsa MP to bad political management.

“Anwar mismanaged the situation. What he should have done was to make a deal with them so they won’t fight over the MB post,” he told The Rakyat Post.

Chin was commenting on the recent removal of Azmin as a Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) board member, a move that has escalated speculation about the scuffle between the two.

Khalid has, however, denied that the decision was due to a personal rift.

Anwar was reported today as saying Azmin’s removal did not follow proper procedures.

The de-facto PKR leader should have given another post to Azmin, Chin added.

Despite the feud, which saw Anwar publicly backing Azmin and chastising Khalid on several occasions, Chin believed that support for the party would not be affected.

People, he explained, understood that the tiff between the duo was spurred by ambition.

Universiti Sains Malaysia Associate Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian echoed Chin’s take on ambition, pointing out that the PKR elections were just around the corner.

Removing Azmin could be a way of slowing down his ascent in the party.

“Khalid doesn’t have a good position in the party, but as a menteri besar he could influence decisions to go against Azmin,” the political analyst said.

He, however, agreed that this would in no way weaken the party.

Meanwhile, MCA Youth Central Committee member Datuk Ei Kim Hock said Khalid’s denial about having a part to play in Azmin’s removal was difficult to accept.

Ei  said PKNS was an investment arm under the Selangor Government’s purview and was in charge of promoting property development in Selangor.

He said Khalid, as the PKNS chairman, had absolute right to make any decision.

“Apparently, the PKR infighting has made PKNS its collateral damage. It is also ridiculous to know that a general manager can drop an appointed director, as claimed by Khalid,” he said in a statement today.

Tags: Anwar, AZMIN, KHALID, PKR

Malam Penghargaan KPM, 16 Januari 2014

'Kembali Kepada Asas Pembinaan Malaysia', Pena DrSiva, Utusan Malaysia, 15 Januari 2014



'The great Prime Minister “The Selfless Man” Tun Hj Abdul Razak Hussein', Kuala Lumpur Post, 24 July 2012

The great Prime Minister “The Selfless Man” Tun Hj Abdul Razak Hussein

on July 24, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: Blogger Big Dog today highlighted the following letter, entitled The Selfless Man, which appeared in the New Straits Times shortly after the passing of Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, Tun Hj Abdul Razak Hussein, in January 1976:
Tun Razak was a faithful Muslim and knowledge of the more rapid approach of his own death was received with the equanimity and fortitude of the truly faithful. He did not turn away from his fellow men nor seek to spend the remaining years to ensuring a place in afterlife for himself alone.
Selfishness did not overcome him. Instead he redoubled his dedication to service towards others, to his people, his country and most certainly to his religion. This dedication took a heavy toll on his health. But his doctors were never able to deter him from his self-imposed tasks.
He performed the Hajj in 1970 again and threw himself into his work with renewed energy and unshaken faith. In all that he did, there was now a note of urgency as the days and months rapidly telescoped in the face of the inevitable. Sometime tiredness showed through. How often he must thought of approaching death have assailed him. Those to whom the inevitability of death looms large and real know well the fear and helplessness.
It would have been natural to falter, to seek pity and sympathy, to retire and rest the tired mind and body. It would have been easy and justified, for there were laurels to rest on. But never once did he falter. To the solicitous comments of his friends, close aides and even immediate members of his family that he looked unwell, his response was to deny and to dismiss. He was fir, he said, and then invariably the subject was switched to work that had to be done.
Towards the end he was particularly concerned over the economy of the nation. He considered it his personal duty to show a good example. But even as he set about doing this, his health deteriorated further.
Advised to seek medical care in Europe, his first thought was over the expense. Repeatedly, he explained that he couldn’t pay and hoped that the Minister of Finance would not mind paying. To justify this unexpected expense, he submitted a full medical report to the Minister of Finance.
Finally convalescing in London, he chafed over his absence from the country. He wanted to return because he had to preside over the meeting of Menteri Besars in Langkawi, Kedah and other pressing issues.
And when death was rapidly approaching, he preyed for three more months. There was the Third Malaysia Plan to launch and a few loose ends to tie up.
This was the man whom we have lost and mourned. He was not perfect. Like very mortal, he had his faults. But there is no man, no leader of his people who was more selfless.
He gave every moment of his life to service to others and heeded not to his own needs. He did this fully aware that his days were numbered.
May Allah have mercy on his soul and place him amongst the Defenders of the Faith, for his selfless service to his people, his country and to Islam is not only in accordance with teachings of Islam but is also a measure of his abiding faith in his religion.
For us who still live, the life and death of Tun Haji Abdul Razak Bin Datuk Hussein, Prime Minister of Malaysia, is worthy of most profound study and contemplation. There is a lesson there that denies that the purpose of life is the pursuit of self-interest and attention to one’s own selfish needs, spiritual or otherwise.
Life, the exclusive gift of Allah, must be dedicated to high purpose as it is eternal, and death rested as if it will come tomorrow.
From Allah he cometh, to Allah he returneth.
- A COLLEAGUE -
Big Dog noted that the writer of the letter has since been identified as former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was Education Minister at the time of Tun Razak’s passing. The blogger also noted that today is the birthday of Tun Razak’s son and current Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak.
“May his quest in stepping into his father’s footsteps and legacy in making Malaysia a better place for everyone be as dedicated as he father was, a truly a ‘Selfless Man’,” the blogger wrote.

http://www.kualalumpurpost.net/the-great-prime-minister-the-selfless-man-tun-hj-abdul-razak-hussein/
 

'Kematian Tan Gim Hwa Satu Kehilangan Besar Kepada Gerakan', Bernama, 13 Januari 2014

GEORGE TOWN, 13 Jan (Bernama) -- Kematian Datuk Tan Gim Hwa, 76, semalam yang pernah menjadi Pengerusi Gerakan Pulau Pinang disifatkan sebagai satu kehilangan besar kepada parti itu.

Pengerusi Gerakan Pulau Pinang Teng Chang Yeow berkata Gerakan kehilangan pemimpin yang berkaliber dan tegas.

"Pulau Pinang kehilangan seorang anak jati yang banyak berjasa dan secara peribadi saya kehilangan mentor dan rakan yang sentiasa menasihati mengenai banyak perkara politik sejak saya menyertai parti hingga pilihan raya umum yang lalu.

"Saya menghargai peluang yang beliau berikan kepada saya selama ini," katanya.

Bekas Ketua Pemuda Gerakan Pulau Pinang, Oh Tong Keong mengingati mendiang sebagai salah seorang anggota pengasas Gerakan dan pernah menjadi Yang Dipertua Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MPPP) yang bertanggungjawab menempatkan penjaja yang berniaga tepi jalan ke pusat-pusat penjaja yang lebih teratur.

Setiausaha Badan Perhubungan Umno Pulau Pinang Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir menyifatkan mendiang sebagai seorang pemimpin yang sangat komited dalam memastikan rakyat Pulau Pinang dapat hidup dengan selesa serta tidak terlepas dripada menikmati pembangunan.

"Mendiang juga seorang pemimpin yang mudah memberikan kerjasama. Ini satu kehilangan yang besar bagi politik di Pulau Pinang," katanya.

Penganalisis politik Prof Madya Dr P.Sivamurugan berkata adalah penting kini Gerakan menentukan hala tuju baharu bagi meningkatkan prestasi kepimpinannya dan memastikan para anggotanya masih mempunyai keyakinan terhadap ideologi parti.

"Gerakan memerlukan arah untuk menghadapi cabaran masa depan. Gerakan masih mempunyai ramai pemimpin yang bagus untuk menegakkan parti dan memastikan anggota baharu tetapi tidak kehilangan yang lama," katanya.

Sivamurugan berkata kehilangan para veteran merubah senario politik tetapi pelan strategi diperlukan untuk memastikan pemimpin baharu dilatih bagi menghadapi cabaran masa depan dan parti kekal bersatu.

Mendiang Tan meninggal di rumahnya di Halaman Macalister di sini pada pukul 11 malam akibat menghidap strok sejak Mei tahun lalu.

Beliau meninggalkan isteri Quah Mo Sy, 76, tiga anak lelaki Tee Yong, 50, Tee Wan, 48, Tee Beng, 42, serta seorang anak perempuan Chin Chin, 41.

Mayatnya akan dibakar di Batu Gantung pada Jumaat ini.



-- BERNAMA  

'Gerakan Must Stay United Despite Losing Veterans', Bernama, 13 January 2014

 

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- The death of former Penang Gerakan chairman Datuk Tan Gim Hwa is a big loss to the party, says political analyst Associate Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian.

He said it was now crucial for Gerakan to set up a new direction to boost its leadership and ensure its members still pursue the same political ideology.

He said Gerakan needed direction to face the challenges upfront, adding that it still had many good leaders to uphold the party and bring in new members.

In an interview with BERNAMA, Monday, Sivamurugan said losing party veterans might change the political scenario but strategy plans were needed to ensure new leaders were groomed to face challenges ahead and remain united.

Tan, 76, who had been ailing since May last year, died late Sunday, following multiple stroke.

Meanwhile, Penang UMNO liaison committee secretary, Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir described Tan's death as a great loss in the political arena.

He said the veteran Gerakan leader was very committed in ensuring the people did not miss out on development.

--BERNAMA

'Leaders Have To Mind Their Words', Bernama, 10 January 2014

Leaders Have To Mind Their Words

By Norshazlina Nor'azman

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 (Bernama) -- Of late statements made by some leaders over a host of issues especially on the rising cost of living due to the rationalisation of subsidies seemed to only further annoy the public.

Statements like "if you find the toll expensive, avoid using highways", "chicken price going up, so don't eat chicken, "vegetables going up, then plant your own greens", and "no complains so far means people agree to the price hikes" if not arrogant are certainly an insult to the public's intelligence.

That's not all, remember the statement "if you don't like BN, you can migrate" is certainly outrageous and the inconsistent statements on the opening of Hard Rock Cafe in Putrajaya clearly reflected on the convoluted minds speaking on the matter.

Statements like these reflect badly on the leaders and the government.

A lecturer with Universiti Sains Malaysia's Social Science Studies Centre Associate Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian noted that the leaders have to be more careful with their words if they were to avoid embarrassing themselves.

PEOPLE HAD ENOUGH

He said such statements would not help in shedding light on issues and on the contrary would create resentment.

"Politicians in giving their response have to be rational and have to see from the people's point of view, only then the people will look up at them.

"One must not forget that the voice of the leaders also represent the voice of the government. So, whatever they say will reflect on the government," he said when contacted by Bernama.

THE ART OF COMMUNICATING

Sivamurugan said it was not too late for leaders to learn how to communicate effectively and at the same time preserve their credibility.

"They have to think over what they have to say if they don't want to end up as the but of the joke. Their irrational response could prove to be a liability to the government," he said.

Meanwhile, the National Professor Council's head of the Political, Security and International Relations Cluster Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak felt that it was only proper one kept the mouth shut if one was not well versed on the subject matter.

"They have to know what they should answer...they have to pacify the people and talk in words that soothes the hearts of the people...nonsensical statements only further disappoint the people," he said.

Mohamed Mustafa noted that the government could help the leaders avoid the pitfalls by providing official talking points, or guidance on the approach to be taken in managing with issues.

He added that the people have the right to feel offended and angry when the issues were not properly addressed.

-- BERNAMA

'Wujudkan Dialog Bersama Rakyat, Perjelaskan Isu Semasa', Bernama, 7 Januari 2014

Wujudkan Dialog Bersama Rakyat, Perjelaskan Isu Semasa

FOKUS BERITA Oleh Nur Aimidiyana Zuher

KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- Kerajaan perlu mengadakan lebih banyak dialog atau forum bersama rakyat bagi memperjelaskan isu-isu semasa khususnya yang berkaitan dengan peningkatan kos sara hidup, demikian menurut penganalisis politik.

Mutakhir ini, isu kenaikan harga barang dan perkhidmatan termasuk minyak, gula dan tarif elektrik hangat diperkatakan berikutan usaha rasionalisasi subsidi oleh kerajaan.

Langkah kerajaan itu menimbulkan pelbagai reaksi termasuk perhimpunan untuk membantah dan dengan itu ia perlu diperjelaskan segera.

Timbalan Dekan Pusat Pengajian Sains Kemasyarakatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Prof Madya Dr Sivamurugan Pandian berkata perkongsian maklumat dan pendapat antara kerajaan dan masyarakat penting kerana interaksi sedemikian dapat membantu memudahkan sesuatu dasar dilaksanakan.

Persoalannya, bagaimana kerajaan dapat menerangkan kewajaran pelaksanaan dasar-dasar ini?

Mengulas perkara itu, Sivamurugan berkata rakyat mesti diberi peluang untuk memahami intipati dan tujuan sesuatu dasar terlebih dahulu sebelum ianya dilaksanakan.

Penjelasan dan penyebaran maklumat mengenai sesuatu dasar secara berkesan boleh mengelakkan kekeliruan atau meredakan kekhuatiran di kalangan masyarakat.

Beliau memberi contoh pelaksanaan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) dengan kadar enam peratus pada April 2015 itu yang diumumkan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak semasa membentangkan Bajet 2014 di mana rakyat perlu diperjelaskan mengenainya.

"Tahun 2013 kita beri tumpuan kepada Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 (PRU13), maka untuk tahun ini rakyat ingin melihat apa sahaja aku janji atau manifesto yang dibuat semasa PRU13 ditunaikan kepada rakyat," katanya kepada Bernama.

Beliau berkata komunikasi berkesan berhubung sesuatu isu boleh membantu rakyat memahami dengan lebih jelas akan kewajaran tindakan kerajaan, sekaligus menjadi benteng kepada rakyat daripada terpengaruh dengan dakyah pihak yang mengambil kesempatan untuk menangguk dalam air keruh.

Realitinya, pengurangan subsidi menyebabkan harga barangan berkenaan membayangkan harga pasaran semasa dan persekitaran ekonomi sebenar.

Bagi mengurangkan perbelanjaan sektor awam, Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak pada 30 Dis lepas mengumumkan 11 langkah termasuk mengurangkan elaun keraian menteri dan timbalan menteri sebanyak 10 peratus, berkuatkuasa 1 Jan.

Kerajaan juga mengurangkan elaun keraian sebanyak lima hingga 10 peratus bagi pegawai kanan kerajaan Gred Jawatan Utama Sektor Awam C (Jusa C) ke atas.

Sivamurugan berkata langkah kerajaan mengurangkan perbelanjaan sektor awam melalui 11 langkah itu membuktikan kerajaan memandang berat akan beban yang ditanggung rakyat.

"Bagaimanapun dalam tempoh jangka panjang kerajaan perlu mempertimbangkan pengurangan kos-kos yang bakal naik dan melakukan pengurusan teratur. Ini penting untuk masyarakat berasa lebih yakin dengan kerajaan," katanya.

Langkah kerajaan itu boleh dicontohi sektor swasta juga.

Sementara itu, Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM) Datuk Nadzim Johan berkata meskipun pengguna terpaksa berdepan dengan situasi kenaikan harga barang dan perkhidmatan, mereka perlu melihatnya secara positif.

"Pengguna perlu mengubah persepsi mereka supaya tidak mengharapkan bantuan kerajaan semata-mata. Ubahlah gaya hidup dan cara berbelanja, contohnya kalau individu itu merokok cubalah berhenti merokok.

"Selain itu, pengguna perlu bijak mengurus kewangan dan memikirkan bagaimana untuk menambah sumber pendapatan," katanya, yang tidak menafikan rakyat memang berasa tertekan dengan isu kenaikan harga barangan dan perkhidmatan.

Bagi bekas Presiden Pergerakan Pemuda Malaysia Tan Pei Leong, masyarakat perlu bersedia menghadapi cabaran 2014 dengan tenang dan mengekalkan perpaduan antara kaum.

"Setiap keputusan itu pasti ada yang bersetuju dan tidak bersetuju. Namun, kita sebagai rakyat tiada gunanya terus merungut tanpa melakukan apa-apa yang memberi kebaikan pada diri sendiri," katanya.

Tan berkata sebagai masyarakat berilmu setiap individu perlu melengkapkan diri dengan kemahiran kendiri bagi menghadapi segala cabaran dan kos kehidupan yang terus meningkat.

-- BERNAMA

'Have Dialogues With The Masses To Explain Current Issues', Bernama, 7 January 2014

Have Dialogues With The Masses To Explain Current Issues

By Nur Aimidiyana Zuher

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- The government has to hold more dialogues or forums with the masses to explain on the current issues especially the ones relating to the rise in the cost of living, said a political analyst.

Of late, the rise in prices of goods and services including cooking oil, sugar and electricity tariff has been the hot topic following the government's move to rationalise subsidies.

The government's move had created numerous reactions including protests and this has to be explained properly.

The Deputy Dean of Social Science Studies Centre at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Associate Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian noted that the sharing of information between the government and the society is important and the two way interaction would help facilitate the implementation of policies.

UNDERSTAND THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE POLICIES

Yet the question remains whether the government could explain whether the policies are justified?

Commenting on this, Sivamurugan said the people had to be given the opportunity to grasp the essence and purpose of the policies before they were implemented.

Therefore, shedding light effectively on a policy could help avoid confusion or calm down fears among the people.

He provided the six percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) to be implemented in April 2015 as announced by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when tabling the 2014 Budget as something that has to be explained to the people.

"In 2013 we went through the 13th General Election, and this year the people will like to see the promises under the manifestos fulfilled," he told Bernama.

He said effective communication relating to a particular issue could help people grasp better understanding on the actions taken by the government, and this prevents them from easily swayed by parties that take advantage of the situation.

THE MOVE TO REDUCE EXPENDITURE

However, one must not forget that in reality, the prices after the reduction of the subsidies will reflect the real market price and the real economic environment.

In reducing the private sector expenditure, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Dec 30, 2013 announced 11 steps including reducing the entertainment allowance of the ministers and deputy ministers by 10 percent effective Jan 1, 2014.

The government also announced the reduction in entertainment allowance between five and 10 percent for senior civil servants in the JUSA C and above salary scale .

Sivamurugan noted that the move to reduce public expenditure through the 11 steps proved that the government is fully aware on the burden felt by the people.

"However, in the long term the government not only has to consider the costs that will be going up but also has to adopt systematic management," he said.

The government's move could also be emulated by the private sector.

CHANGE THE LIFESTYLE

Meanwhile, Malaysian Islamic Consumer Association's (PPIM) chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan noted that though consumers disliked the rise in prices of goods and services, they have to view it positively.

"Consumers have to change their perception and should not depend on the government alone. They have to change their lifestyle and the way they spend, for example if the individual smokes then it's better to stop smoking.

"Apart from that, consumers too should be smart in managing their finances and in increasing their income," he said, adding that it is undeniable that Malaysians were feeling the heat due to the spike in the prices.

As for the former President of the Malaysian Youth Movement Tan Pei Leong, the society has to prepare itself in facing the challenges of 2014 calmly and in preserving the inter-racial harmony.

"Whatever the decision there will always be some who agree and some who don't agree. Nevertheless, we as Malaysians cannot be sitting on our laurels without finding ways that will benefit us," he said.

Tan said being an informed society each individual has to learn how to be resilient in facing the raising cost of living.

-- BERNAMA