Siva Murugan Pandian, a political analyst at Universiti Sains Malaysia, said the result gave the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance a tremendous boost as it looks ahead to the next general elections.
“If Anwar is able to ensure there are no cracks in Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition can take over in the next polls. But it can only happen if the sway in Malay votes continues,” he said.
Analysts said the result spelt trouble for Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak as he prepares to replace Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who was forced to agree to stand down in March over the general election debacle.
“This is going to call into question Najib’s rise to the prime minister’s position,” said Bridget Welsh, a Southeast Asian expert at Johns Hopkins University who observed the election.
Najib personally headed the government’s campaign in Kuala Terengganu, as well as another failed by-election last year which saw Anwar returned to parliament after a decade-long absence.
“Of course, this is a setback for us… We will not be disheartened by the result,” Najib said late yesterday, rejecting the suggestion that the outcome reflected badly on him. “It’s nothing to do with that,” he said.
The Chinese and Indians deserted the government at last year’s national polls, alienated by rising “Islamisation” of multicultural Malaysia and angry over a decades-old system of preferential treatment for Malays.
Pollster Ibrahim Suffian said the by-election showed the government was now also suffering from a “credibility gap” with Malays that is not being addressed as leaders continue to be distracted by infighting.
Young and urban voters in particular are alienated by widespread corruption and cronyism, and Abdullah’s failure to introduce promised reforms including cleaning up the police and judiciary.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim said the opposition alliance has gained much-needed momentum and proved it is working together effectively despite allegations that the fledgling partnership of three very different parties is cracking up.
the chinese and indians will not alienate the ruling coalition IF they know that the government is serious about fighting crime, getting rid of corruption and cronyism, fairness to all races (not just lip service) and humble (not haughty, arrogant and snobbish). We do not see any of these happening for the LAST 51 YEARS!! So, it is time either they change for the better and stick to it till eternity or we will change them with another government!
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Donald Duck Reply:
January 19th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I support..!!!!
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Bumi Ownz U Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Malaysia is hoping the new US administration will be a new change in US and Malaysian bi lateral relationships….
Do you really think Obama is going to look at Malaysia in good light with Malaysia still having racist and discriminatory laws against minority races?
Not to mention apartheid and an ignorance and “hush keep your mouth shut” attitude to race relations?
And when openness to protest against racist policies arise… threats of violence through the unsheething of the kris arises… islamic superiority over other races? — Let us not be blinded by inaction and rhetoric of unity, when the current government fails to put policy to the table….
Do you really think the US administration will take BN and its racist laws seriously?
Again Malaysia is run by ignorant fools.
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Bumi Ownz U Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Malaysian Sedition laws were created because the current government along with their incompetence in being able to compete at an intellectual level or pose an intellectual argument…. it is a lazy law.. like the ISA… for a lazy people…
Tight control on what people say has lead to an almost communist iron hand at a dictatorial power, brain washing fear and suspicion amongst the mostly uneducated peoples….
progress? what intellectual progress?
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BARISAN NATIONAL WILL BE OPPOSITION BEFORE NEXT GE,MALAYSIAN WAITING FOR THAT TO HAPPEND SOON.
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What the Tunku set out to do 51 years ago is nowhere to be seen today. The Malays, Chinese, Indians and others are left in a lurch and to fend for themselves! The ones who have benefited from the policies of BN are the ones closely linked to the ruling coilition!!! Ample examples of their wealth, in the form of mansions, are there for all to see. In education, these very crooks send their sibblings to foreign universities thereby belittling the universities in Malaysia!!!
In short, THROW THEM (THE BARISAN NATIONAL) OUT BEFORE THEY DESTROY MALAYSIA!!!!!
Das
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Effect of the current POST if really materialize :
If Pak Lah really pass the PMship to Najib, mean Najib will be the “SHORTEST” holding the PMship in the country (2009 March to 2012 or 2013 General Election).
If Pak Lah stick to the PMship – Najib will never become PM of Malaysia.
Or if motion of no confident against Pak Lah is tabled in Parliament and DSAI is voted in, mean Najib will never be the PM of Malaysia.
Since YM TG Hadi Awang voiced his support for Pak Lah to continue his PMship and “cancelled” the transition plan (pertaining to PMship) until next 13th general election, Najib will never be PM.
If Pak Lah stick to PMship and Najib as President of UMNO table Motion of no Confident against Pak Lah and Najib win the motion – Najib still the shortest holding PMship in Malaysia. If not succeed – again Najib will never be PM of Malaysia.
All the above is subject to Pak Lah’s move and/or BN Defectors’ move and/or BN (pro Anwar) action because all PR MPs and opposition MPs and solidly behind DSAI.
Let observe which is happening later on.
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The worst thing Mr Anwar and his supporters can do to trip up their progress to Putera Jaya is to use words with violent connotations like “seize power”, “topple the ruling Government”, etc.. Such words befits only those of a third world mentality. Malaysia is NOT a third world and such words only, unfortunately, gravitates us in that direction instead of the other. To be fair, I observe there have been good responses by people in the UMNO led coalition under Mr Abdullah and Mr Najib towards a, while not perfect but certainly improved, gentlemanly conduct of the electoral campaigning and conduct of office. It would be a shame if the “hot-heads” in PR were to be overly aggressive and “push” UMO-BN towards the cliff, or backs-to-the-wall if you like, in their political strategizing. There will be bound to be retaliation and it won’t be so pleasant. Surely it is obvious to the leaders of PR that overly aggressive words and actions can only undo its progress and push PR back 2 steps as it happened when it “topple the BN” strategy caused, instead the good Mr Abdullah forced to name a date for his stepping down and the notorious Mr Mahathir to be back on the ascendacncy. Surely that caused much heart-ache of not heart-burn among many of Mr Anwar’s supporters. How foolish that many people should not know what they are doing – shooting themselve sin the foot. You could feel the fear of Mahathirsm creeping back when Mr Abdullah agreed to step down. SO let’s use our brains and avoid that whoever is responsible for advising M Anwar on his political strategies.
Meantime, it may be relevant to say here that as far as the non Malays are concerned, living in Malaysia under Mahathirism was or still is, like being Palestinians under Israeli occupation. Discrimination and initimidation and bullying by UMNO. It is fortunate that we have a good system of governance which allows peaceful (I hope that is the case) change of government, and a large enough middle class population of good people with the intelligent and knowledge to understand how the system works and why it was constructed the way it was from the beginning. Unlike the Palestinians. Otherwise, we may see “intifadas” erupting all over the States of Malaysia in the near future. Knowing these therefore, the “swing in the pendulum” is NOT a revolution but just a normal democratic process in action which , if allowed to happened can only lead to PR in power or an UMNO-led BN adjusting positicely to the wishes of the people such as removing totally its unconstitutional apartheid policies non Malays.
I like how the venerable MB of Kelantan Mr. Nik Aziz puts it when he called for the people especially PAS supporters not to be over-exuberant in their victory celebration and verbiage so as to hurt the feelings of the losers. Now that was indeed gentlemanly, sporting, and not least, first world. Let’s continue that course. it gives great hope to Malaysia as a nation and entity.
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Keinginan penukaran kerajaan bukan sahaja dari rakyat Malaysia keturunan India dan Cina.
Keinginan penukaran kerajaan juga datang dari ramai rakyat Melayu, Iban, Dayak, Kadazan yang sudah bosan dengan sikap BN yang sombong, rasuah dan menperalatkan ketuanan Melayu untuk kepentingan sendiri dan kroninya. Kalau tidak ada penukaran dan pembaharuan di Malaysia, tidak lama kemudian Malaysia akan ikut jejak Zimbabwe, negara bankrut dan semua rakyat akan menderita terutama rakyat yang kononnya dilindungi BN.
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“‘Opposition can take over in next polls’” ?
Yes, why not, very soon or next GE13 election. Is time for BN to close shop. There is no doubt about it.
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Dear DSAI,
I dont know how to get you so I’m posting this as comment in the hope that you will see it and give a direct and honest response.
I still remember few days after the PR state govts were formed, that you said there won’t be any purchase of new cars for official use in a drift from previous BN practise. This is in stark contrast with the rumour that Selangor and Perak govts are eyeing to replace their fleet of Perdanas with brand new Camrys. This rumour turned out to be true despite earlier denial, when few days back Selangor announced 15 Camrys were bought. The reason given is because Perdanas have high maintenance cost. They also allude to the recent revelation by Auditor-Gen of exagerrated costs charged to the various govts for maintaining Perdanas.
Now, a quick glance will reveal whether buying the Camrys is a wise move and whether maintaning the Perdanas, even with the high costs, is a better option, at a time when we are facing economic difficulties. Yesterday, the Human Resources Ministry itself said it expects 45,000 factory workers to be laid off! I’m sure a bulk of these workers are from Selangor too.
1. The press statement from MB Selangor office says that Perdana is too expensive to maintain, saying that from whole of last year till last November, ie. a period of 23 months (ie around 2 years), it has cost RM694,735.55 to maintain them, that means, roughly, 350k a year. Now, each Camry costs RM157,074, so it works out to about 2.35 million. Even if the remaining Perdanas are maintained for the next 2 or 3 or even 4 years, it will only come to a maximum 1.4 million (and that too is assuming that the new PR govt fail to fix the corruptions and leakages involved which resulted in the high maintenance of the present cars).
What does that mean? It means saving of RM1 million and I’m sorry but that is just a lot of money for helping out in times of emergency economic crisis! Sure they must have allocated some funds for that as well, but does that mean we can squander on cars which can wait? Why don’t the state govt wait till after 2 or 3 or 4 years, when economy becomes better, to replace the Perdanas? Is buying the new Camrys and auctioning the Perdanas or using it as so-called ‘pool’ cars going to save money? It sure looks like another RM2.4 million was spent, rather than any money was saved! As far as I know, this is called false economics.
2. It has been pointed out by some that there is corruption and cronyism involved as revealed by Auditor General’s report regarding maintaining Perdanas. If that is so, surely PR can find (and should have) a way, to repair these leakages and fix the corruptions (as promised in their manifestos), and make more cost effective ways of managing the Perdana. If even this small corruption cannot be tackled, can we do away with the bigger ones? Or is there a lack of creativity on PR state leaders to solve issues such as this?
3. If at all, after all justifications, the state govt really want to replace their cars, is it not better to buy locally made cars? Now that will help local economy. But some argue, why give crony companies. Ok find. If that is not to the taste of Exco members (with the excuse that it is ‘high maintenance’ and ‘crony company’) then pray tell me, why Toyota Camry? Why must it choose a top-of-the-line model? Why not something lower which is more cost efficient? Like the super petrol-efficient Honda City or, if our Excos really love Toyota, then why not Vios, or even Altis, all of which are much much cheaper? Do they need such a big 2.4 Camry? Why? Is this habit a legacy left by the BN that is not to be touched or altered?
All this lead me and others to believe that little has changed with state government attitude. The slogan of ‘negara berkebajikan’ continues to be muttered in Friday prayers and du’as in Selangor mosques, but actions such as this, threaten to make a mockery of it all.
I hope DSAI will find time to give his opinion, and whether there is a better alternative to the decision to buy the Camrys.
In this case, I have always admired the way Lim Guan Eng adminsters the Penang coffers. His recent withdrawal of 15k annual grants to NGOs for CNY celebration is also praiseworthy. PR people in Perak and Selangor should emulate his ways. His moderate lifestyle must offer a lesson or two to the other leaders. One should also not fail to mention that Nik Aziz in Kelantan has long shown the way in this respect.
Thanks.
Rahman – PJ
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Rosli Reply:
January 19th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Saya sangat bersetuju dengan pandangan (abdul)Rahman. DSAI perlu menasihati pemimpin-pemimpin negeri PR agar berpegang pada kata dan janji. Rakyat juga sedang memerhati dan menilai gelagat serta prestasi mereka.
Mengekalkan (Proton) Perdana V6 dan berunding dengan pihak Proton agar kos senggaraan dikaji semula adalah langkah terbaik. Kerana, saya percaya jika (diizinkan Allah SWT) PR memerintah negara, Proton tidak akan diarah tutup malah pasti dipertingkatkan.
Kita mungkin melalui masa sukar, jangan tayangkan hidup mewah di mata rakyat agar rakyat tidak meluat. Biarlah kita bersederhana dan lebih prihatin. Semangat bangga negara jangan pudar hanya kerana Proton dicipta dan dimajukan di zaman BN.
Proton untuk Malaysia, untuk semua. Sokonglah ia, cuma pentadbirnya mungkin perlu dibersihkan.
Sokonglah industri kita dan pimpinlah mereka agar lebih berdaya saing.
Sayang Malaysia!
Rosli – JB
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Coldplay Reply:
January 19th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Valid point made, Rahman. Over to you, DSAI. And hope to get a sincere one!
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terrysambogard Reply:
January 27th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
oohhoooii…there..where are you…it is eight(8) days since posting date of Jan.19/2009..yet to hear from you.
should you failed,refused and/or neglected to reply…the judgments is/are;-
…oopppsss postponed sine die.
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now every eyes has opened. BN are relevant. I hope Pakatan will continue the glory and be sure too the Pakatan will never forget all the promises made before. I’m looking for a changes and surely a good changes.
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changes comes beginning..
last poll changes was proven the people choice and the people champ hailed the stand, continue the people champ already on it way to a new beginning so when the wave continue to sway on the people champ side nothing can be stop for what is coming only except what the law of attraction. so the time has come to reveal and reborn this new dawn day for this nation was once brighter than it self held. be patience of what you plant and what you will sowed.
cheers
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Me and hubby prays that Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be the next PM of Malaysia.
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I fully support Selangor government move to replace Perdana with Camry,look at for long term benefit.Sorry proton guy you have to work harder to improve the proton quality hence competitive for global market.Stop depend to much on government/local market.We have come to a stage that quality must be upheld.
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Bumi Ownz U Reply:
January 21st, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Why bother improve Proton cars… the government can always give Proton subsidies… so the board can sit on their buttocks and enjoy life playing golf at the expense of tax payers money…
This is truly fantastic innovative forward thinking! Well done Malaysia!
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RAKYAT SENTIASA MENUNGGU…..SEDIKIT DEMI SEDIKIT MENANG KERUSI…LAMA2 JADI KENYATAAN……..50 TAHUN MENUNGGU UTK PERUBAHAN TAK SALAH KAMI MENUNGGU BEBERAPA TAHUN…..SUPPORT ALWAYS FOR PR
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A change of government is long awaited and long overdue . We will wait for the good news from Pakatan Rakyat and DSAI. Most of us cannot tolerate such a terrible and corrupted bn as govt.
DSAI, i wishes you success in your endeavor to take over.Or we wait for a snap election . najib cannot proclaims to be the next PM of Malaysia unless there is a snap election.
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BN could have been a real force if it had been more eyes and ears of the rakyat..many selfish individuals within destroyed whatever Tunku aspired for this wonderful nation…the rakyat had enough and want a change real quick..the nation can be saved by Pakatan Rakyat.
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Rakyat Malaysia masih ternanti-nanti kepulangan atau berita mengenai PI Balasubramaniam yang masih hilang hingga kini. DS Najib dgn muka tak malu terus berkempen di KT dgn harapan rakyat Malaysia telah lupa kes bom C4 Altantuya. Mungkinkah ini yang menyebabkan BN kalah di KT. Fikir-fikirkan wahai BN yang makin condong menuju ke dasar….
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Well said Siver Surfer . You hit the nail right on the head.PKR must be humble and follow the example set out by Tok Guru Nik Aziz, the wise one.We will see the day of light if everyone keep his cool,be HUMBLE,and set our target and priority right with a proper perspective.Skirmishes within will only throw our chances away as the opposition will take advantage of the sitation.
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