By Debra Chong
KUALA TERENGGANU, Jan 7 – Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim drew parallels tonight between the conflict in Gaza and what he called the sufferings of Malaysians as he hit the campaign trail at a mammoth rally attended by thousands here.
Attempting to touch a sensitive chord among the mainly Muslim constituency here, he accused Umno, the main party in the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, of acting like Israel.
“The leadership is busy collecting wealth. While Israel is punishing the Palestinian people for choosing Hamas, it is no different from Umno punishing Malaysians for choosing the Pakatan Rakyat,” he told a ceramah here on the first day of campaigning for the Kuala Terengganu by-election.
Thousands of local residents had gathered to listen to a star-studded Pakatan Rakyat (PR) rally here where besides Anwar, the DAP’s Lim Kit Siang and Pas president Hadi Awang were also among the top draws.
The flag-waving crowd cheered loudly during Anwar’s speech, punctuated with shouts of “Allahu Akbar”, which translates as “God is Great,” the standard clarion cry of the Pas faithful.
With a majority of Malaysia’s Muslims backing the Palestinian cause, Israel’s ongoing invasion of Gaza is having a major impact on domestic politics.
Political leaders from either side of the divide have been busy burnishing their Islamic credentials, and Anwar’s attack against Umno tonight will likely put BN on the defensive in the days to come.
The Kuala Terengganu by-election sees a three-way fight between BN’s Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Salleh, Abdul Wahid Endut of Pas and independent Azharuddin Mamat.
Setting the tone for the campaign, Anwar told the huge flag waving crowd gathered at a beach behind the Astaka shopping centre here that the problem with Umno was that it was corrupt and ignored the suffering of ordinary Malaysians.
Sticking to his Gaza theme, he said: “Umno, like Israel, does not recognise the chosen Hamas leadership.”
The Opposition Leader also spoke on the Hudud issue, and blamed “Umno and its controlled media” for fanning religious and racial hatred.
Pas vice-president Husam Musa’s recent remarks that his party would want to introduce Hudud, the strict Islamic code which prescribes amputation, stonning and whipping as punishment for criminal offences, had touched off criticisms from non-Muslim groups, including PR partners DAP.
While the Hudud issue has caused uneasiness in other parts of the country, it has little traction in the east coast states, where a huge majority of the population, are conservative Muslims.
Still, with a tight race anticipated, both the BN and PR campaigns are mindful of the need to secure the Chinese vote, which represents around 11 per cent of voters here.
To me, real intergration can be found on the east coast. The Chinese there are as Malay as you can get. They speak the lingo like their mother tongue and extravagance is a no no.
I always tell my west coast brethren not to believe in all the hype. No, they don’t cut off your hands there. You can drink beer and eat pork in Chinese restaurants. You only need to be mindful of other peoples’ cultures. Is that really too much to ask? The Chinese there are actually quite grateful that there aren’t too many of us over there. You know, hard to do business. Even those who got “buang” over there are doing quite well financially.
The east coast, a bit foresty but with a lot of heart. All the best to PAS.
Reply
Dear DSAI,
I beg to differ your statement. Isreal is a small country surrounded by Muslim nations. Isreal protects its CITIZENS whereas UMNO can’t even protect its own race what more its citizen. UMNO robs from its citizens. Israelis are ruthless , cunning and smart whereas Umno on the other hand is ruthless, Stupid and clueless. So how do you make this comparison?
Reply
Wake up Eaglewings, this is not a comparison but a reality illusions. You must understand why PR have to use the Palestine issue at this by-election. Almost 85% voters are Malays and KT is one of PAS stronghold base. I can see PR is very intelligent in politiking. Adios.
Reply
ANTI ANWAR Reply:
January 8th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
WHAT THE COCK UR TALKING ANWAR JUNIOR OI…..ANWAR IS WELL KNOWN AS NOT SO INTELLIGENT LEADER BUT INDEED A GOOD POLITICIAN ONLY…..PERIOD……WHATEVER HE TALK IS NOTHING MORE THAN A COCK ONLY….PIIIRRAAAAHHHHH….AKU KENAL KAU ANWAR, KAU ORG LAIN BOLEH LA KAU TEMBERANG….
AKU BENCI BN TAPI AKU LAGI BENCI ANWAR…..PEMUSNAH BANGSA…….HIPOKRIT……DLL
Reply
anwar junior Reply:
January 8th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I back your pardon ANTI ANWAR. Did I said Anwar is intelligent? Double check the sentences before you make the COCK provocative comments. Adios
Reply
anwar junior Reply:
January 9th, 2009 at 10:18 am
I back your pardon Anti Anwar, did I say Anwar is intelligent? Please read again and again the statement before you give the silly cock comments. Be a smart guy, although you hate him so much but use your brain to express your comments, NOT your knee cap. Adios.
Reply
Debra Chong,
May be you are right but DAP is like Mao Zhi Tong the famous comunist leader. One more thing, UMNO is a party and Isreal is a nation. This simple difference pun you tak tahu? Kesiannya kau….
Reply
The Man Reply:
January 9th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Oi Tukang Saman,
You must be the must stupid man I’ve read about..memang bodoh sungguh
Debra did not say that Umno is like Israel. She was reporting what was said by DSAI..
please lah..learn to read properly or at least learn to read before blasting people…u are a real idiot…i hope your kids do not inherit your stupidity..
Reply
Apehal la pulak isu Israel di canang,sedangkn anak2 Palestin mati bergelimpangan,anak anak Malaysia pula disogok dengan isu yang tak masuk akal.Saya juga warga Malaysia yang waras dan nampak politik ini sebenarnya adalah permainan sandiwara semata mata,kerana agenda politiklah bangsa boleh bergaduh,kerana agenda politik lah org berniaga boleh bangkrap,kerana agenda politiklah kawan jadi musuh.Jangan taksub sangat berpolitik,berpegang la pada tali ALLAH sahaja,mesti selamat ke akhir zaman.Setahu saya sikap kita masih tak berubah,org lain semakin maju menjana teknologi2 baru,org kits asyik bertelagah sesama sendiri,ade ke anak melayu kita yang mencapai tahap genius sehingga sekarang?.
Bila bahasa inggeris di jadikan matapelajaran utk matematik dan sains pun banyak yang membangkang,sedangkan technical words semuanya dalam bahasa inggeris.Nak di jadikan contoh Jepun menggunakan bahasa ibunda dan terus maju sebagai ekonomi teknoloji.Adakah orang Malaysia sama pencapaian macam org Jepun?selipar yang buat di Malaysia pun masih di panggil selipar Jepun.
Bangunlah wahai anak Malaysia.Jangan asyik berpolitik yang penuh sandiwara ini.adalah lebih baik setiap isirumah mempunyai matlamat untuk memajukan diri.Secara automatiknya Malaysia ni akan maju keseluruhannya, biar ape pun parti politiknya.
Reply
Bagi saya perpaduan melayu perlu ditingkatkan…jangan bagi ruang kepada perpecahan. Percayalah bangsa lain suka kita berpecah..lihatlah sekarangpun mereka sudah kurang ajar memecahbelahkan bangsa kita. Kalaulah melayu bersatu bukankah baik. Kan negara kita ni Tanah Melayu…tak kiralah kau UMNO ke PAS ke kan kita suma melayu…bangsa lain nak ke ikut cakap melayu kalau majoriti bangsa mereka diMalaysia ni…tengok aje di Singapura mana letak orang melayu bro anwar oi..pikirla jangan gasak aje nak hancurkan sama melayu. Kau melayu ke bukan?
Reply
say yes to PAS…say no to PKR n DAP!!!
Reply
kochebin Reply:
January 9th, 2009 at 6:50 am
That is a good motto. YES to PAS but NO to PKR and DAP. Where is that hypocrite liar?Dulu kata 18 Sept then Oct,after that Hari Raya Haji.What happen to all the dates?He claims he has the numbers but running out of dates.
Reply
Bumi Ownz U Reply:
January 10th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I support Hudud lawa in Malaysia.
It is the only way Malaysia will improve.
Though I do not support the barbaric stoning and amputation of limbs…
I find this a little too extreme in this day and age.
What do you think? Should people that steal get their arms chopped off?
Should women who get raped, get stoned to death?
This is happening in Iran. Will this happen in Malaysia? .
Reply
Zahan Reply:
January 11th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Hudud Untuk Keselamatan..em ok aper moto ni kan?
Zahan Reply:
January 11th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Bumi Ownz U said:
“Though I do not support the barbaric stoning and amputation of limbs…
I find this a little too extreme in this day and age.”
Be cautious of what u said,it will bring to conclution that Al-Quran and Islam is barbaric.Let’s stoning and let amputate the limbs,if it is the only way when the time comes and suitable.People cant’s create tangan palsu or kaki palsu(robotic).People cant create biotechnology to help,but he wont steal again,because it feels horrible/painful/shameful to be amputated.
Please don’t mention about barbaric again.
Umno is worst than the Israel
Yahudi tidak menindas bangsanya sendiri, tetapi UMNO menindas dan memperbodohkan orang melayu lebih dari 50 tahun…..
To solve this problem, UMNO & BN MUST go down the drain.
Reply
Dua soalan Datuk Seri,
UMNO macam Israel sejak Datuk Seri jadi Timbalan Presiden dulu ke ataupun baru-baru ni je sejak UMNO pecat Datuk Seri?
Bukan dari dulu sejak PAS memerintah kelantan dari awal 90an ke memang kerajaan UMNO dan Barisan Nasional yang mengikut pandangan Datuk Seri telah Menindas Kelantan?
Reply
Semua pandangan di atas boleh dipakai yang tak boleh pakai DSAI tu, cakap dia memang hebat nak buat macam mana Allah bagi kelebihan dia di situ tapi auta memang dia pun hebat juga. Saya ni bukan saja setakat kenal DSAI sejak dia jadi pemimpin tapi sama-sama main guli di kampong lagi lepas tu sama-sama pi MCKK setakat tu sajalah sebab dia masuk UM saya sambung belajar di Reading UK. Anwar lulus pengajian Melayu kot, jadi dia tak pandai apa2 pun pasai ekonomi. Dr. M lantik dia jadi Menteri Kewangan dulu sebab calon pertama Sanusi Junid tolak dan juga Rafidah Aziz pun tolak juga (maklumat saheh dari Dr.M sendiri). DSAI dilantik juga sebab Dr. M rasa ekonomi negara akan terus OK sebab pada masa tu ekonomi dunia memang tengah rancak, kalau kita beli saham di BSKL macam baling dart saja mesti dapat point (kecuali yg baghal sangat boleh tersasar kena dinding). Bila ekonomi merudum pada ’97-98 baru kita nampak tembelang/kebodohan DSAI. Kalau tanpa kebijaksanaan Dr.M untuk tangani kegawatan pada masa tu kita hingga sekarang saya rasa masih lagi perit. Satu perangai DSAI ialah suka menunjukkan dia ni ‘kuat membaca’ dia akan quote mana-mana buku ‘best seller semasa’ walhal dia tak baca pun dia minta pembantu selalunya Dr. Anis (Pakistani)bagi sinopsis. Dalam nak kelentong ni dia pernah terkantoi dgn seorang Prof. U (sama-sama belajar dgn saya di Reading dulu). DSAI dgn confidence berkali-kali sebut nama author buku tu kpd Prof berkenaan tapi sebenarnya dia tersilap quote. Prof cuba perbetulkan tapi dia ‘menyinga’
Reply
HAHAHA. Tak terkejut pun. Anwar = ajen yahudi, wakil penjajah US. Tahniah penyokong kerana sedar kini.
Reply
1. BN is not like Israel. BN is like Hamas.
Hamas has been using UN Schools (which house children) as cover to stop Israeli’s from attack.
BN Education minister is mobilising school children to protest against the military incursion.
Using children… is this a common strategy amongst muslims?
2. Barisan Nasional has told America to stop interfering with Malaysia regarding Anwar and his false imprisonment and physical abuse.
Maybe Malaysia should stop interferring with Israel’s attack in Gaza. These countries have their own sovereignty and their own laws. Double standards??? What do you think?
2. Mahatir has stated bycotting US products. Malaysia once again believes that it is the centre of the universe. Malaysia thinks that it’s economy can influence Israel or even America? Please… if the people running Malaysia feel this, then perhaps they should open their eyes.
If you think boycotting US products, maybe Mahatir should throw his computer away as it uses AMD or Intel chips. You think Malaysia’s economy, that is smaller than Singapore’s is going to do anything? It will only do damage to FDI investors… use your brains!!! Investors have a choice to move to Thailand, India, Indonesia, Korea, Vietnam.. There is no urgency or dire need to invest in Malaysia at all….
Don’t you think its about time, some level of intelligence and rationality were used.
How about pushing for dialogue rather than ignorance? or seperatism?
Reply
Ni la bangsa Melayu. Kutuk sesama sendiri macam tak tahu dosa pahala. Perasaan hasad dengki lagi la terkenal di kalangan bangsa yg dikatakan MELAYU.
Kalau DSAI tak dapat capai impian 16 september utk tukar kerajaan, tak payah la kutuk macam orang takde agama. Kita hanya merancang, Tuhan yang tentukan.
Reply
Israel= Rejim BN dulu dan kini.
INI ADALAH KERANA :-
1. Tangkap suspect liwat seperti Israel serang Gaza. Pecah masuk rumah orang seperti mafia.
2. Tangkap para demonstrasi aman dan sumbat dlm penjara guna ISA.
3. Mengaibkan orang guna sumpah di masjid. Tunggulah makhamah Syariah jatuh hukum.
4. Bersubahat dengan kaum kafir tolok hudud yang kononnya zalim. Hudud nampak kejam tetapi amat berkesan untuk pesalah berulang seperti mencuri, merogol, zina dll. Ubat yang mujarab mesti pahit.
Fikir la wahai para penyokong BN terutamanya UMNO.
Saya dah meluat dan benci lihat lambang dacing sejak 1999.
Reply
Zahan Reply:
January 11th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Mahkamah Malaysia perlu diantarabangsakan.Usahakan agar seksyen2 tertentu menjadi tribunal yang selaras dengan undang2 utk digunapakai diperingkat antarabangsa.Jangan biar kita jatuh lagi selepas kita naik dengan isu Israel ini,inilah masanya yg sesuai!!
Ekonomi dah naik..
yang lain-lain belum lagi..
Reply
Hai geng komentar…
Sudah-sudahlah bergaduh, cukup-cukup lah …
Sampai bila mau begini.
Palestin kena tembak kita naik angin.
Mau boikot barangan Israel aka US, si kawan marah.
Cukuplah ….
Kalau pasal by election KT, orang lain diam la. Orang KT bukan tidak sekolah.
Biar mereka pilih. Kalau AF Boleh pilih, apa lagi Pilihanraya.
Tidak berpuas hati ada sebabnya. Menyokong pun ada batasnya.
Kita kena terus hidup. Dan untuk hidup kenalah hormat menghormati. Kalau sudah tidak hormat-menghormati hak orang lain maka jadilah kita macam Israel.
Jom kita bina rakyat Malaysia yang bertamadun. Kalau pilih, pilih dengan ilmu, kalau selisih, selisih dengan ilmu, kalau politik, politik dengan ilmu.. baru best. Tidak payah tegang urat leher menjerit sampai pitching pun out.
tq.
Reply
Ya saya setuju dgn Padamar Seri…
bak kata budak2 skrg. : kita kira settle je la….bak kata org.tua2 : ikut hati mati, ikut rasa binasa. Udah2 la tu kata org perak.
Jika kita ni org. Islam, mana keislaman kita kalau hasad-dengki tertanam didada kita, berakar umbi ditubuh kita, hingga mata yang celik jadi buta, telinga yg mendengar jadi tuli.
Cukup-cukup la tu MUAK la nak dengar.Anwar Ibrahim kalau dah desprate sangat nak jadi Perdana Menteri pi beli satu pulau….hah memerintah la kat situ…sbb kat sini rakyat MARHAEIN (kata2 favourite dia) nak hidup aman damai-damai la…nyawa pun bukan nya panjang sangat, habis kuat 60-70 thn dah kong.
Reply
Sedang org Israel membunuh penduduk Palestine, kita sibuk nak bandingkan org M’sia ngan mereka. Org PKR patut tahu bahwa tanpa sokongan dan kebenaran Amerika, Israel tak kan berani menyerang Palestine. Ini terbukti bila Jabatan Negara Amerika berkata bahwa Israel meninta kebenaran Amerika untuk menyerang Iran pada bulan July tapi tak diizinkan. Siapa kah penasihat penasihat atau pelobi kerajaan Amerika untuk serangan itu??? Tentunya badan badan Yahudi atau badan badan yg mengunakan wang Yahudi yg mempengaruhi dasar Amerika. Siapakah ahli ahlinya??? … sayangnya termasuk DSAI sendiri. Mungkin DSAI tak dapat untuk melencungkan atau menepis dasar mereka itu, namun, DSAI masih ahli badan itu. Mungkin suara DSAI tidak selantang diM’sia, namun DSAI masih ahli badan itu.
Mengapa keangotaan DSAI tidak dapat sedikit pun mempenguruhi badan badan itu untuk mempunyai sifat belas ehsan, berperikemanusiaan dan tolak ansur. Sedangkan disini, DSAI dianggap pemgikutnya bagai Ayah Pin, atas dari nabi, bawah sikit dari Tuhan. Tak boleh dikritik, seolah tak pernah lakukan kesalahan. PAS pun tak berani nak kritik.
Mungkin kehadiran DSAI dalam badan itu untuk mendapatkan dana untuk membiyaai usaha perjuangan DSAI disini.
Sekiranya berjayalah DSAI dalam perjuagannya dinegara ini, pemimpin yg bagaimana DSAI akan jadi?? Hebat?? Berkarisma ?? Lantang??? macam Park Chung Hee!! macam Marcos!!! macam Mohemmet Shah Pahlavi!!! macam Hosni Mubarak!!!macam Howard!! macam Tony Blair!!! Mereka semua berkiblatkan Washington.
Doakan supaya DSAI mendapat petunjuk dan hidayah … Amin.
Reply
Anuar,
Ko adelah puaka kat malaysia ni. Perosak bangsa. peranap agama..penuh sandiwara..
Pencetus sifat kebencian antara kaum, menjaja keburukan negara di luar.
Dulu aku respek kat ko, atleast macam ade agama skit, ni ko mcm TAK BETUL..kepala ko ni mcm skit biol pas kuar ISA..GILA ISIM.
Ko ni bukan kene masuk ISA, kalau dalam islam orang yang M********, dalam bahasa lembut sikit hipokrit..ni la oarang yang merosakkan dari dalam dan luar..
taubat la nuar..
Aku..kalu berani call la aku..
011-2345678
Reply