Sidang meja bulat ‘BERSIH 3.0 dan Masa Depan Malaysia’ berakhir dengan resolusi termasuk menyokong penuh lapan tuntutan BERSIH 3.0 dan wacana terbuka di antara Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak dan Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sebelum Pilihanraya Umum ke-13.
Sidang meja bulat yang dianjurkan oleh Institut Forum Siswa (i-FORSIS) kelmarin menghasilkan sebelas resolusi bagi meningkatan kesedaran dan penyertaan mahasiswa dalam agenda pembangunan masa depan negara serta menentukan halatuju dan jalan penyelesaian alternatif terhadap sesuatu masalah atau isu yang berlaku.
Dalam satu kenyataan semalam, Presiden Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia (Gamis), Akram Ikrami Taib Azamudden menegaskan mengenai keperluan berkongsi platform serta membina kefahaman di kalangan aktivis gerakan mahasiswa berhubung isu-isu penting dalam negara.
Katanya, dalam resolusi yang diluluskan dalam sidang meja bulat itu, pimpinan gerakan mahasiswa, menuntut dan mencadangkan kepada pihak yang berkenaan, supaya:
Menghidupkan dan menyuburkan semula ‘Speaker Corner’, dialog bebas dan program baktisiswa bagi meningkatkan nilai idealisme dan aktivisme mahasiswa serta partisipasi dalam menunaikan tanggungjawab terhadap masyarakat.
Meneruskan kebersamaan gerakan mahasiswa untuk mengadakan perbincangan bagi mencari kata sepakat dan jalan penyelesaian terhadap pelbagai masalah dan isu yang melanda rakyat Malaysia dan umat Islam.
Meningkatkan nilai kematangan dalam isu-isu semasa, masyarakat dan ummah, selaras dengan tahap keintelektualan sebagai seorang yang terpelajar.
Memberi dan meningkatkan kesedaran mahasiswa tentang tanggungjawab sebagai pembela masyarakat dan jurubicara ummah.
Menyokong penuh lapan (8) tuntutan BERSIH 3.0 dan menuntut pihak SPR dan kerajaan melaksanakannya sebelum diadakan Pilihanraya Umum ke-13.
Menyeru ahli politik dalam negara meningkatkan kematangan berpolitik dengan meningkatkan kewibawaan masing-masing pada kaca mata rakyat dan tidak menggunakan politik kotor.
Kesepakatan atas agenda Islam mestilah diutamakan melebihi sentimen politik kepartian.
Memberi fokus kepada pembangunan jati diri Islam kepada mahasiswa.
Menolak sebarang bentuk pemikiran dan tindakan yang di luar batasan syarak.
Menyeru gerakan mahasiswa dan mahasiswa untuk mengemukakan alternatif atau cadangan tambahan terhadap bantahan atau sokongan yang dibuat terhadap pelbagai pihak.
Mengadakan wacana terbuka di antara Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak dan Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sebelum Pilihanraya Umum ke-13.
“Dengan ini kami berikrar, untuk meneruskan momentum membela dan memperjuangkan nilai-nilai kebenaran dan keadilan yang dituntut oleh Islam demi masa depan Malaysia yang lebih cemerlang dan dirahmati Allah,” katanya.
Menurutnya, resolusi tersebut dipersetuju sebulat suara oleh wakil-wakil dari PKPIM pusat, PKPIM UIAM, JK Informasi & Maklumat PEMBINA pusat, PEMBINA UIAM, GAMIS, SIGMA-GAMIS, KARISMA Daerah Gombak, GPMS UIAM dan Ma’ruf Club UIAM.
From Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
By Vikram Nehru
There has been growing speculation that the thirteenth Malaysian general elections will be held in June this year. But massive demonstrations in Kuala Lumpur on April 28 organized by Bersih (a civil society coalition for clean and fair elections) that ended in tear gas and pitched street battles, may have thrown a spanner in the government’s plans. The inevitable finger pointing between Bersih and the police that followed (some 380 people were arrested, significantly less than a similar rally last year) masks the more important point that there is popular belief that the election system is rigged in favor of the ruling Barisan Nasional.
The Election Commission has been at pains to announce that it has implemented many of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reforms, which conducted a genuine and nationwide consultative process. One recommendation being implemented is the use of indelible ink to prevent voter fraud, a recommendation put forward by Bersih itself. The Election Commission also scrutinized the electoral rolls and found few irregularities, but so deep is the distrust in the country that this result appears to have carried little credibility. The accuracy of the electoral poll in Malaysia is indeed a critical matter that must be beyond reproach. There are several swing states where small margins can change the national result significantly.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Najib has embarked on a charm offensive. He fulfilled an earlier promise by repealing the Internal Security Act, which allowed for preventive detention without trial. The government also passed a law that allows students to join political parties (although political events on campuses are still banned).
These actions no doubt will positively impact the prime minister’s popularity, which was already high following a populist budget and a recent report complimenting the government on the implementation of its economic reform package. But while the prime minister enjoys very favorable ratings in the polls, his party, Barisan Nasional, does not. This has given the opposition parties some hope, although they have yet to coalesce and offer a clear alternative. The scenes over the weekend of street protests and tear gas, together with allegations of police brutality, will likely help the opposition and hurt the government. This could further narrow the difference between the incumbent Barisan Nasional and the main opposition coalition.
All the tea leaves suggest a close race, perhaps closer than the one in 2008 when the opposition took five of thirteen state legislatures and over a third of the seats in parliament, denying the Barisan Nasional a two-thirds majority.
Subky Latif
24 Apr 2012
APA pun PTPTN mestilah dimansuhkan dulu serentak dengan pengumuman pelajaran percuma hingga ke universiti.
Beban pertama yang perlu ditangani ialah membebaskan para pelajar dari hutang sejak hari pertama melangkah ke universiti atau kolej.
Dalam sistem sekarang baik kaya dan apa lagilah miskin sebaik melangkah ke menara gading disediakan dengan hutang yang berbunga. Sebaik bekerja dan sejak gaji bulan pertama terpaksa membayar hutang.
Ia mesti dibebaskan dulu.
Tidak berbangkit tiada yang sanggup ke universiti apabila PTPTN mansuh, kerana universiti disediakan secara percuma.
Apabila ia dikatakan percuma tentu semua perkara besar yang melibatkan kewangan akan dikendalikan oleh kerajaan yang mendapat RM80 bilion setahun dari hasil minyak dan gas.
Anwar Ibrahim yang pernah menjadi menteri pelajaran termasuk bertanggungjawab terhadap pelajaran tinggi pada masanya tahu keperluan setiap universiti dan kolej.
Belajar dari pengalaman PAS memerintah Kelantan sejak tahun 1959, tiada lulusan STP boleh masuk universiti tanpa penaja sekali pun sijilnya cemerlang. Seluruh pelajar dari Kelantan termasuk yang dapat sijil tidak penuh ditaja oleh kerajaan Kelantan.
Antara mereka masuk kampus tak berduit. Berhempas pulaslah Prof. Diraja Ungku Aziz mengikhtiarkan keperluan mereka. Selama 19 tahun PAS memerintah hanya setahun saja pelajar Kelantan tidak jadi pelajar yang teramai dibandingkan dengan setiap negeri.
17 buah sekolah yang terbaik masa itu terhadap di tiga buah kota iaitu Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh dan Pulau Pinang. Tidak termasuk sekolah di Kelantan, tetapi siswa yang teramai bukan dari Selangor, Perak dan Pulau Pinang bahkan dari Kelantan.
Perdana Menteri kata, jika PTPTN dimansuhkan kerajaan terpaksa tanggung RM43 bilion. Anwar yang pernah jadi menteri kewangan kata, RM43 bilion itu bukan peruntukan setahun. Yang disediakan oleh kerajaan sekarang tiga bilion saja setahun. Tetapi PR sedia belanjakan lima bilion setahun dari 80 bilion setahun dari hasil minyak untuk tampung keperluan ganti PTPTN itu.
Bukan Najib saja pernah jadi menteri kewangan dan menteri pelajaran. Anwar pun pernah jadi menteri pendidikan dan menteri kewangan.
Kata Khaled Nordin, menteri pengajian tinggi, tanpa PTPTN tutup semua universiti swasta (IPTS). Khaled Nordin tidak pernah jadi menteri kewangan dan tiada pengalaman jaga kementerian pelajaran. Anwar lebih banyak pengalaman dan dia adalah pengerusi jawatankuasa anti penyelewangan. Dia tahu ke mana tumpah kuah.
Tidaklah 100 bajet universiti swasta datang dari dana kerajaan, tetapi kekurangan peruntukan disebabkan oleh ketiadaan PTPTN tentulah dapat ditampung oleh kerajaan yang menyediakan peruntukan lima bilion tadi.
Pelajaran bagi Pakatan Rakyat adalah termasuk dalam negara berkebajikan. Ia bukan produk yang diswastakan seperti di bawah BN. Konsep swasta adalah mencari sebanyak-banyak untung. Banyak siswa, maka banyaklah pulangannya. Mutu pengajian jadi perkara kedua.
Tetapi di bawah pelajaran percuma, mutu pengajian diutamakan dan ia mesti memenuhi kehendak kebajikan. Sebagaimana graduan Kelantan dengan standard pengajiannya yang bermutu balik membangunkan Kelantan, maka nilai pelajar yang keluar dari semua universiti, tentulah dapat membangunkan negara, bangsa dan agama atau bermoral tinggi.
Kita jangan berbalah dulu tentang ganti PTPTN dan macam nak tangani kampus tanpa PTPTN. Mansuh dulu PTPTN dan laksanakan pelajaran percuma. Setelah itu kita fikirkan bagaimana anak orang kaya dan anak orang miskin.
Persoalan pertamanya jangan jadikan PTPTN sebagai ah long kepada pelajar.
Menuntut ilmu adalah ibadat. Bebaskan pelajar dari gejala riba membatalkan ibadat bahkan jadi maksiat pula. Bebaskan pelajar dari berhutang kerana hutang itu menyebabkan ibadat tidak sampai ke langit dan doa tidak makbul. Kejayaan dalam pelajaran bukan sekadar cerdik dan rajin studi, tetapi dibantu oleh doa. Kalau siswa berhutang doa untuk lulus cemerlang dan dapat kehidupan baik tidak tercapai kerana halangan hutang.
Jika universiti dan kolej jadi tempat ibadat dan doa dimakbulkan, maka melimpah ruahlah bantuan dari Allah. Ramailah orang kaya memberi zakat kepada kampus sebagai ganti kepada PTPTN. Apabila universiti makmur, maka bukan orang miskin saja dapat kebajikan dari pengajian percuma, anak orang kaya juga boleh dapat pelajaran percuma. Belanja dari orang kaya untuk pengajiannya adalah sedekah.
Islam agama diterima di sisi Allah. Malulah kepada Sweden, Norway dan Finland bukan Islam dapat memberi kebajikan kepada pengajiannya, negara Islam mencari keuntungan dari bidang pelajaran.
Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menyelar tindakan sekumpulan lelaki yang menyerang pelajar di tapak khemah di Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur dalam kejadian awal pagi semalam.
Katanya, kumpulan lelaki ‘samseng’ tersebut hanya ingin menyerang menggunakan fizikal tetapi enggan menggunakan akal untuk berhujah dalam isu yang dibangkitkan pelajar berkenaan.
“Bila ajak untuk berdebat tak nak. Tapi guna kekerasan dia untuk pukul orang,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap di hadapan kira-kira 500 orang yang hadir termasuk aktivis dan mahasiswa yang berkampung di lokasi bersejarah itu, malam tadi.
Anwar turut mengulangi janji bahawa akan Pakatan Rakyat akan memansuhkan Pendidikan Tabung Pendikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) sekiranya berjaya menawan Putrajaya pada pilihan raya umum akan datang.
Tambahnya, kerajaan kini tidak memberi keutamaan kepada rakyat sedangkan mampu memberikan pendidikan percuma dan memansuhkan PTPTN.
“Kerajaan ada daya untuk laksanakan pendidikan percuma dan mansuh PTPTN. Cuma sekarang ini yang menjadi keutamaan negara bukan rakyat tetapi poket menteri-menteri,” katanya.
Anwar turut ditanya berhubung dakwaan mantan perdana menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, bahawa beliau merupakan salah seorang yang meluluskan penubuhan PTPTN pada 1997.
Katanya, isu utama dalam hal tersebut ialah soal memberi pendidikan kepada anak golongan miskin.
Jelasnya, bagi golongan yang sudah kaya, isu PTPTN bukan satu masalah besar buat mereka.
“Untuk seorang yang maha kaya, anak-anak bukan isu. Bagi anak orang miskin, itu (PTPTN) isu. Tugas saya ialah menjaga keseluruhan rakyat. Bukan anak-anak bilionair dan taukeh.
“Saya ingin tegaskan yang bilionair tidak akan faham,” katanya kepada Malaysiakini.
Anwar hadir pada kira-kira jam 10.40 malam dengan memakai topi dengan slogan BERSIH bagi memberi sokongan terhadap tindakan mahasiswa dan aktivis yang berkampung di Dataran Merdeka sejak enam hari lalu.
Beliau turut melawat tapak perkhemahan siswa berkenaan dan menurunkan tanda tangan pada kain rentang pelajar itu sebagai tanda sokongannya.
Turut hadir ialah timbalan presiden PKR, Mohd Azmin Ali dan ketua Pemuda PAS, Nasaruddin Hasan.
Speech by Anwar Ibrahim at the Economist’s CEO Lunch meet, APRIL 19, 2012 at the KL Hilton
In a collection of Greek and Latin proverbs compiled by the Renaissance humanist and philosopher Erasmus, known as Adagia, we are told: Multa cadunt inter calicem supremaque labra.
Not to worry, because for the life of me, I too haven’t the foggiest idea what it means.
But after doing some checking, this is just the Latin version of an old English proverb many of us are familiar with. It goes like this: “There’s many a slip between the cup and the lip”. In other words, even when the outcome of an event looks certain, things can and do go wrong.
That proverb could also be a convenient excuse when we don’t fulfill our promises, especially if we have made grand pronouncements about great changes to come. Well, I think you know where I’m heading here but just to add on to the drama, let me throw in another quote. For this, T.S. Eliot is the master:
Between the idea
And the reality
Between the motion
And the act
Falls the Shadow…
Now, this is no ordinary shadow but a long drawn veil of different shades of darkness.
But seriously, I am saying this because today more than ever before we are living in a world dominated by sense perception. A world where sound bites, boiler plate pronouncements and state-of-the-art mass media image-building take the place of sincere and straightforward expressions of truth.
In this regard, we have been treated to a barrage of promising reforms, which look very good on paper and even more impressive through media campaigns which cost millions of ringgit of the tax payers’ money. And this is money spent without any regard to accountability.
Indeed when it comes to promises, we have an embarrassment of riches. Firstly there is the overkill of sound bites such as the NEM, the GTP, the ETP, and the list goes on. They may all sound different but as you know, they are essentially cosmetic variations of the same stale approach to economic management.
But first let us look at the political and legal reforms which have been touted to have ushered in a new era of freedom and democracy for the nation.
To begin with, as you know the ISA is supposed to have been abolished just over the weekend. But even before we could give it a decent burial, the powers that be have already resurrected it from the grave. They’ve given it a different name of course, but we know that a bad law by any other name will still smell as bad.
Much has already been said by all concerned parties about the erosion of our fundamental rights and freedom, and that this new law is akin to taking away the powers of the police from their right pocket only to put it back into their left pocket. Suffice it to add that with the passing of this new repressive law, the stench of oppression still permeates the air and the Sword of Damocles still hangs over our heads.
Let me now share some thoughts with you on our social and economic policy road map which is encapsulated in the Pakatan Rakyat’s Orange Book. Firstly, this policy is founded on a new social contract between the government and the people. In the event of a transition to power, we pledge to introduce sweeping reforms.
We want to establish a real democracy to reflect and empower the supremacy of the people. We want to build a dynamic and sustainable economy to provide prosperity to all. The drivers for growth will be essentially led by the private sector. But this will not be crony capitalism driven by a philosophy of greed. It will be free market capitalism with a humane face. This is not an ideal in the clouds but a reality that can be achieved because we will be guided by the principles of social justice.
We will continue the practice of transparent and responsible government as currently done by Pakatan Rakyat states. We will free the nation’s institutions from the undue influence of politics and restore them to their past glory. The Judiciary has been savaged by the UMNO/BN Executive. We pledge to stop the political meddling in judicial proceedings and restore its independence and competency.
Other national institutions of government must be reformed: the Election Commission, the MACC, the AG’s Chambers and the Police – these are essential institutions to ensure the rule of law. They work for the people, not the political masters. They must be transparent and accountable. (more…)
KUALA LUMPUR, 19 April: Sekumpulan antara 40 hingga 80 samseng berkelakuan biadap apabila menyerang perkhemahan mahasiswa di Dataran Merdeka, kira-kira jam 2.30 pagi, lapor KeadilanDaily.
Berpakaian serba hitam, samseng itu turut meroboh khemah, memukul mahasiwa dan orang ramai yang menyokong perkhemahan dengan menumpu sasaran terhadap mereka yang membawa kamera dan perakam video.
(Kanan: Mahasiswa dan orang ramai berkumpul menceritakan detik-detik cemas, namun semangat mereka tidak luntur.)
Kejadian itu menyebabkan seorang lelaki terpaksa dihantar menaiki ambulans ke hospital manakala beberapa orang termasuk mahasiswa, ditendang, ditampar dan ditumbuk.
“Saya sedang tidur dalam khemah sebelum terjaga apabila muka saya ditendang dari luar,” kata penuntut sarjana Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Nur Ruqayyah Abdul Rahman yang berpurdah itu kepada Keadilan Daily, awal pagi ini.
Beliau yang turut kehilangan telefon bimbit akibat insiden itu berkata demikian ketika berkongsi detik cemas itu bersama mahasiswa dan orang ramai.
Kebanyakan mereka kesal kerana kumpulan samseng itu dibiar bermaharaja lela walaupun balai polis bergerak terletak hanya 10 meter dari lokasi perkhemahan.
Seorang saksi lain kesal kerana polis enggan memberi bantuan walaupun beliau merayu bantuan tetapi anggota pihak berkuasa itu memberi alasan ‘bimbang keselamatan mereka terancam’.
(Kiri: Khemah mahasiswa yang dirosakkan kumpulan samseng.)
Dalam kejadian itu, samseng turut melontar kata-kata kesat dan mencampakkan cermin mata aktivis sosial, Fahmi Reza manakala rakannya, Boon Kia Meng, seorang pensyarah institusi pengajian tinggi swasta, ditumbuk.
“Sebaik saja keluar khemah akibat kekecohan itu, saya hanya duduk tanpa membalas cercaan mereka. Sebaliknya, mereka ambil dan campak cermin mata saya. Kia Meng di sebelah pula ditumbuk,” katanya.
Kamera Nurul Haniza Mohamad, 24, pula rosak selepas ia dirampas ketika dikerumuni lima atau enam samseng.
“Mereka tarik baju dan beg saya. Ada seorang tunjal kepala saya sambil menghambur kata-kata kesat,” katanya yang berasal dari Batu Arang, Selangor.
(Kanan: Kebiadapan samseng tidak mematahkan semangat mahasiswa untuk terus berkhemah sehingga 28 April ini.)
Seorang ahli Unit Amal PAS Batu, Mohd Kassim Abdullah, 24, pula ditampar dua kali, malah disiram air oleh sekumpulan samseng berkenaan.
Sungguhpun berdepan kekasaran samseng itu, semua mahasiswa dan kumpulan penyokong tetap bersemangat, malah membuat ketetapan untuk terus kekal berada di situ.
Ketua pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menegaskan bahawa golongan kaya perlu membayar semula pinjaman melalui Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) walau Pakatan Rakyat komited untuk memansuhkan bayaran itu.
Anwar berkata, Pakatan akan berusaha untuk menyediakan rangka kerja untuk memberi pendidikan percuma dan memansuhkan pinjaman semula itu.
Namun langkah itu lebih banyak melibatkan golongan miskin dan juga yang berpendapatan sederhana yang tidak mampu membiaya pendidikan selain melalui pinjaman, katanya.
Katanya lagi, peluang pendidikan bukanlah satu masalah kepada golongan kaya dan maha kaya, katanya lagi,
“Saya dengar, anak lelaki bos AirAsia (Tan Sri) Tony Fernandes pun memohon (pinjaman PTPTN), ini tak munasabah,” katanya dengan berjenaka dalam satu sidang media selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat majlis pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat hari ini.
From Asia 360 News
How does a Muslim village boy who faithfully attends Quran classes and goes home to the works of Lao Tzu and Confucius, grow up to view the world — and his country? The scope of Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s worldview is matched by the breadth of his political ambitions. Having risen from the ashes, the leader of Malaysia’s opposition is raring to prove his mettle at the upcoming elections.
Asia360 News editor-in-chief Goh Chien Yen caught up with Anwar Ibrahim in an exclusive interview at the Houses of Parliament, to discuss how exactly the firebrand politician plans to do that.
Asia360 News: There is a lot of talk about the general elections being round the corner. Some predict that they could be held as early as June this year. When do you think it will be?
Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim: I don’t know. I’m not particularly good at speculating. But the incessant attacks in the UMNO media on the opposition and their rosy coverage of [Malaysian Prime Minister] Najib’s movements, which you see virtually every day, is a sure sign of the imminent elections.
Q: Is the timing good for UMNO to call for an election soon?
AI: I don’t think the timing is actually good for UMNO. You see, they have downplayed UMNO as a party. They are projecting Najib, to show that he’s trying to do his level best. Relying solely on him, however, is to acknowledge the fact that there are strong sentiments against UMNO and the Barisan Nasional coalition. The other component parties that used to play a major role — MCA (Malaysian Chinese Association) and the MIC (Malaysian Indian Congress) particularly — are completely sidelined. I don’t believe they’re that confident.
Q: And the timing is good for the opposition, for Pakatan Rakyat? What’s your plan for the upcoming election in order to boost your chances of getting into the government?
AI: Well, we’re working very hard under the circumstances. We have at least been able to present ourselves as a formidable force, a team, and I think that has helped. Unlike Najib, they’re projecting him, but we always appear — the three party leaders [of the opposition coalition] — together. Then, there’s a clear common platform from Buku Jingga, the Orange Book, and on some issues we presented at the recent Pakatan Rakyat Convention. The good thing is that we’ve been working very hard on those issues. We presented the case not only as an alternative government, but with clear policies laid out.
Q: So what are some of these clear policies from an economic standpoint? The Malaysian economy seems to be doing quite well, registering about 5% growth for 2011 despite the global slowdown. What can you do differently or do better on the economic front?
AI: We are of course for market economics and market reforms, but to us, governance is central. Price hikes here are mainly due to monopoly. Rice and sugar are the monopoly of a few select companies controlled by family members of cronies. We believe that if things are done in a transparent manner and proper procurement policies, tender process, then we can minimally reduce some of these problems.
And this figure, the 5% growth, does not really resonate with the masses. Unlike our neighbouring countries, we’re a net exporter of petroleum; the revenue rests comfortably with this huge income resource.
I don’t think we have much of an issue with infrastructure, or economic growth. People tend to compare us with mostly developing economies. But I would always say that we should be compared with Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea, and not Myanmar and Bangladesh. But what is more important in terms of economic policies is that we have the capacity to move forward at a faster pace and to improve, radically shift and substantially improve the quality of education.
Q: So these are what you see as the immediate challenges if you were to get into power. What would your priorities be in your first 100 days in office?
AI: We need to make sure and be clear that it is not a race-based politics, number one. Number two, the issue of governance. If an observer looks at the growth figures, they know what is lost to corruption.
Q: If the opposition comes into power, Malaysia will be faced with an unprecedented situation of UMNO not being in government. How would others such as the judiciary, military and the monarchy react to this new political state of affairs?
AI: This issue is probably relevant much earlier. In 1969, it was a race question. The opposition was seen to be an attack on the Malays. It is not necessarily right; I’m talking about perceptions here. By 2008, we [the opposition] controlled five states — this is not a concern anymore. We are talking about an UMNO-dominated government versus the opposition, which is also Malay-led, so you can’t use this race card. Also now that we have been in government at the state level for some years, our interactions with the military, the police, has been deeper, and also with the sultans.
Q: So you think Malaysia is ready to move further away from race-based politics that have dominated the political scene for so long?
AI: If you look at the 2000 elections, it’s clearly a departure. It’s been quite clear since 2007. Some critics painted the picture that that if we do take over, it will be like a stooge to the Chinese. It has been used by Mahathir [the former prime minister] against me and it was used by Najib against me. He had publicly said that I will be a stooge of the Chinese, particularly the DAP (Democratic Action Party). My style has never been to be apologetic. Why can’t I be used by the Chinese and the Malays and the Indians, for the good of this country? Instead of just denying, “No, I will not.” Although this has been a major campaign in rural areas about the insecurity of the Malays, I think it’s over. People finally want to know about the future, their welfare. You go to the Penang Malays, it’s not whether a Chinese is chief minister, it is about their housing, about access to credit, which are their concerns. So we’ll have to address these issues.
Q: What are the challenges for Malaysia as it modernises while remaining faithful to its religious and cultural heritage? Do you see a balance that could be struck or will it always be a source of tension?
AI: We have been able to navigate this successfully, maintaining our posture as a tolerant, moderate, Muslim society. The so-called contentious religious issues were not raised by religious scholars but were purely a political ploy. After all, this race card, religion card are all inculcating a climate of fear. What they want to hear is what you have to offer in terms of concrete policies. If and when we do take over, then the constitutional guarantees and framework will be made on the issues of language and religion, which I think is clearly acceptable to Muslims and non-Muslims in this country. But, having said that, I wouldn’t want to discredit the fact that it would still continue. Look at the UMNO media; it’s a daily dosage of Christians versus Malays, so they may attempt to send this message through their incessant propaganda efforts to the rural heartlands.
Q: You’ve been scandalised, beaten, stripped of your title and thrown into jail. What keeps you going?
AI: I’m just plain crazy!
Q: Where do you draw your inspiration?
AI: I’m not crazy; I was just quoting Mandela. After I was released, he invited me, Azizan and the children to visit him. So we went to Johannesburg, because he wasn’t doing too well. He was very apologetic, he said, “Anwar, I’m sorry we’re not able to do much.” I said, “Look, you did your best.” He had immense influence and he was successful in even getting me out of the country for treatment in Johannesburg. He said: “People like us, people say we’re mad, we’re crazy.” Then I intercepted and said to him, “Mad, for sure we are not, but crazy, yes.” But I don’t know. I’m grateful for my parents, they were quite idealistic, my late mum and my father.
Others have asked me how I see Mahathir now, and I spent the first 20 minutes talking about the nice time I had with him. They said, “No, please be serious.” I said, “I am!” That’s a wonderful thing to have. Of course I get angry, I counter his arguments, rebut very strongly, in some ways despise his hypocrisy, the gross injustice, but I wouldn’t deny the positive contributions he made. But the destruction of the institutions of government, that’s unforgivable. Personally, I’m okay, I moved on, but the judiciary, media, the police force, parliament, were all relegated to becoming inconsequential.
Q: Speaking of your relationship with Mahathir, do you have any regrets in the sense that perhaps things could have been done differently? After all, you were the heir-apparent. You were the deputy prime minister, slated to become the next leader.
AI: Oh, I thought about that a lot. You have to remember, I was in prison, so what do you do? Meditate, read and think. And sing, I sing quite a bit too. You do, you reflect, but then it was mutual, he was kind to me and I was exceedingly kind and loyal to him. It was a very difficult period but I don’t think I had much option towards the end. In fact, I’ve always said to my more critical friends that I have absolved myself. After all, we were part of the government. Some of the decisions were bitter, but we needed to draw the line. Things like bailouts, things like the corruption reports against ministers, already on your table, and for you to say “not to do anything”… you have to bring it up! But people say you could have compromised, some friends did say that. But then you would have transgressed the boundary. If or when you do take over, how do you then rationalise with the public what you’ve done? If it’s done by the prime minister, well there’s not much I can do. But if it is condoned by you, you have a problem. So, do I regret it? No. Was it difficult? Yes. Do I think I had other options? No, except to resign early, to die a fighter.
Q: You’re also a man of ideas. It was about 17 years ago when you wrote the book “Asian Renaissance”. A lot has happened since. Asia is on the rise. Do you think what you described as renaissance is happening now? And where do you see Malaysia in this emerging Asia?
AI: That book became quite contentious because people close to Mahathir thought we were clearly parting ways. Secondly, the central idea of economics empowerment is critical, but not everything, that’s why I talked about renaissance, cultural empowerment, I talked about freedom, and justice. And I think there was a flaw in the thinking at that time of these economic gurus: prescriptions by the World Bank, the IMF about the East Asian economic miracle, and so forth. They didn’t talk about disparity, the marginalised, the poor, whether the judiciary is independent or not, or if the media’s free. To them ‘the miracle’ was in terms of a limited notion of economics and power. I hold very dearly the thesis I presented in that book. That’s why I used the term ‘renaissance’.
Q: Do you think this is happening now? There have been some changes. Indonesia has changed and is now a proud democracy. Malaysia has made progress too, slightly more liberal and democratic these days.
AI: I don’t think they’re that liberal — they are forced to be. Look at the parliament proceedings today — a mockery, a joke. But it’s a challenge. Once you are transformed into a relatively vibrant democracy, then you actually allow for space. And that latitude is essential for the mushrooming of ideas. That, to me, is very critical when you talk in terms of economics or cultural empowerment.
That is happening more successfully in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand because they are more democratic. Although I wouldn’t want to deny the fact that Indonesia, too, is facing a major problem due to endemic corruption and marginalisation. If the issue of governance is not resolved, people have this suspicion, then whatever policies, however rational or good, will always be suspect. Is it to enrich your cronies or is it really something really essential to the masses? Trust is important.
Q: What would you consider your greatest political achievement to date?
AI: I’ve not achieved much. For now, I’m cementing the three parties together. Fortunately, the leaders of the three parties are like-minded and willing to collaborate for a common agenda. But there is still a long way to go. So we shall see. People say that success means you assume office. It’s not true. Success is when you’re able to deliver. It’s not when you attain the position. That’s I think the wisdom of having been there and being downtrodden. And I think that keeps your sanity and humility. I think that’s important. People think being prime minister is the end, but I don’t think so. I think you should be evaluated and judged. And when you’re able to honour your commitments after you assume office, and remain true to your ideas, that, to me, is a far greater challenge than articulating this ideal in the absence of authority or power. When you’re there, you deal with the realpolitik, with the power play, with the big forces, with the tycoons. If they give you a 10 million dollar ring, what do you do?
Q: There’s a strong moral conviction behind your political action. What keeps you true? What keeps you walking the straight and narrow and not, like you said, being wavered by the 10 million dollar ring or turning your eye away from what you think is not right?
AI: I’m a man of faith; I’m a practicing Muslim. At the same time, I grew up well thanks to my parents. My mother is not English-educated but she’s an avid reader. She virtually read all novels in Malay or in Bahasa Indonesia in those days, the entire collection of Balai Pustaka books. And my dad, we always had these small compendiums of books, from Gandhi to Lao Tzu to Confucius, and it’s interesting. For a Muslim family in a village, with a small library at home, we have that. So you familiarise yourself. I go to Quran class, and following the Nabi (prophet), as an intellectual, you don’t view religion purely from a dogmatic sense but you engage.
Roger Garaudy was a great philosopher, who started off being a Christian in France, then later on became a Muslim. It’s very interesting what he said, unlike a new convert. He said, “I’m blessed, I grew up a Christian, and that’s where I learnt compassion and tolerance. Then I became a Communist, and I had strong empathy and love for the poor and downtrodden. Then I became a Muslim and then I became more universal.” So just because he is a Muslim, the past is no longer relevant? No, the past is what is him. Exactly what Amartya Sen had said. In his book “Identity and Violence”, he said, “I’m an Indian, I memorised Sanskrit at the age of nine and I think it was a great thing, I’m a Hindu and I think we have a great civilisation, but because I’m in India, I think that Muslim moguls have done wonderfully well. But later I became a professor in Cambridge, in Harvard. I think it’s a great institution and I love being here in America and despite the fact that I grew up in Santiniketan, I am a great admirer of Shakespeare. So who am I?” And that is beautiful. I use that a lot. And when you read it and understand it and you see these people talking about Malay supremacy, oh my god, they know nothing. CY & FE
Dijemput rakan2 untuk hadir ke Pidato Politik Pendidikan Percuma, Mansuh PTPTN: Adakah Satu Mimpi?
Butiran adalah seperti berikut:
Panel : Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Penasihat Ekonomi Selangor, Ketua Pembangkang Parlimen Malaysia)
Dato Ir Nizar Jamaluddin (ADUN Pasir Panjang)
Sdr Safwan Anang (Pengerusi Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia
Sdr Akram Taib Azamuddin (Presiden GAMIS)
Sdr Syahid Zaini (Majlis Perwakilan Mahasiswa Nasional)
Tarikh : 11 April 2012 (Rabu)
Masa: 8.30 – 11.30 Malam
Tempat: Dewan Kiambang, Seksyen 7 Shah Alam (Belakang Kompleks Belia dan Kebudayaan Selangor)
Penganjur: Malaysia Bangkit, Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia
Malaysiakini
Ketua pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menggesa Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak meletak jawatan sekiranya tidak mampu menyedia kos RM43 bilion untuk hutang pelajar.
Anwar berkata hutang melalui Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) itu boleh diselesaikan jika kerajaan mengelak daripada menanggung ketirisan perbelanjaan dan menolak perbuatan rasuah.
Berucap dalam satu ceramah sempena sambutan Jubli Perak PAS Shah Alam malam tadi, Anwar turut menempelak Najib kerana menimbulkan kos sebanyak RM43 bilion untuk langkah tersebut.
Anwar mempertikaikan kos berkenaan memandangkan kerajaan didakwa mampu menanggung kerugian seperti dalam isu pembelian saham MAS dan dalam projek National Feedlot Corporation.
“Hei Najib, RM43 bilion hang (kamu) tak reti (pandai) cari? Hang tak reti cari tak apa. Hang berhenti.
“Kalau tak berhenti, kami tolak hang jadi ketua pembangkang parlimen Malaysia selepas ini. (Sampai) tak tahu nak cari duit,” sindir Anwar yang diiringi dengan tepukan hadirin.
Bekas menteri kewangan itu menegaskan bahawa Pakatan Rakyat akan menyelesaikan hutang PTPTN tersebut sekiranya gabungan itu membentuk kerajaan selepas ini.
Anwar mengulas kenyataan Najib semalam yang turut menjelaskan bahawa tindakan itu akan membebankan rakyat kerana kerajaan perlu mengenakan cukai yang tinggi sekiranya langkah itu dilaksanakan.
Keadaan itu boleh dilihat seperti di Norway yang menanggung pengajian tinggi rakyat negara itu sepenuhnya, kata Najib.
Najib juga berkata, kerajaan pada masa ini juga menanggung kira-kira 90 peratus daripada kos pengajian tinggi rakyat manakala PTPTN hanya digunakan untuk membayar yuran pengajian pelajar.
Keghairahan Anwar dan Najib dalam menjuarai isu hutang tersebut dilihat semakin memuncak ekoran rancangan sekumpulan pelajar untuk mengadakan perhimpunan anti-PTPTN pada 14 April.
Perhimpunan yang mensasarkan penyertaan 5,000 pelajar itu dirancang bagi menuntut kerajaan memansuhkan pinjaman tersebut dan menyediakan pendidikan percuma.
Perhimpunan anjuran Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia itu juga dirancang sebagai “pemanas badan” sebelum perhimpunan BERSIH 3.0 pada 28 April di lokasi yang sama.
