Pakatan Friends launches on July 24, targets young East M'sians
Sabah PKR leader Ronnie Klassen will soon be launching Pakatan Friends - a movement that aims to reach out to East Malaysians and unite them into a voting force ahead of the 13th General Election.
“It is the young Sabahans and Sarawakians who will hold in their hands the future of Malaysia. That’s why we are focusing all our efforts to reach them and explain to them why they must engage themselves in our struggle for democracy and justice,” Ronnie told Malaysia Chronicle.
“They should not close their eyes, that was the way of the previous generation. The next GE is a very crucial one and East Malaysians must come forward and be a part of the change. They must lead the change and not forever be the 'fixed deposit' for Umno and BN.”
PKR takes fight to Umno strongholds
SHAH ALAM, July 9 — The grainy newsreels may have been replaced with slick digital productions but the intention is the same: To reach out to the people.
Selangor is taking a leaf out of the colonial government’s playbook to reach rural Malays.
The “wayang pacak”, or mobile outdoor cinema, used successfully first by the British and then the Alliance government to counter the communist insurgency in the 50s and 60s, is now being adopted by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to break Umno’s domination in the Malay belt.
Leading the move is Selangor’s newly-minted communications chief, Dr Badrul Amin Baharom.
“We are already using the big screen to promote the state policies and welfare programmes,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
The back-to-the past approach is being adopted following the bitter lessons learnt when PKR failed to defend the semi-rural Hulu Selangor Parliamentary seat in the April by-election.
Access to information in these communities is also limited to Umno-owned newspapers or television channels.
“Information about state policies, including our welfare programmes, are not covered so we are taking our message to the ground,” said the former International Islamic University law lecturer.
He pointed out hype raised when the Penang state government started giving RM100 to its senior citizens, while Selangor’s many welfare programmes were hardly covered in the press.
Many, he said, are unaware of Selangor’s “People-Based Economy” (MES) programmes, which operated on a wider scope.
Among these are insurances schemes, funds for the elderly, aid for tertiary education and even funeral expenses.
The state has also started mobilising its machinery to counter Umno’s “Juara Rakyat” campaign, which was launched at the beginning of the year.
“We have started our own Layarakyat programmes, particularly at Umno-held Parliamentary and state constituencies,” he said.
Under the programme, outdoor screenings are held at night markets or public areas to highlight state welfare programmes, with counters set up concurrently to help the public sign up for the schemes.
Layarakyat is already running at the Sabak Bernam constituency in Northern Selangor.
“The reception has been good,” said Badrul.
In addition, the state also kicked off its series of three-day “Bersama Rakyat” (With the People) programmes a fortnight ago.
Bersama Rakyat — or Berkat — will be held at selected locations and runs from Fridays to Sundays.
The programme will feature a carnival including health screenings and other activities targeting new voters.
“We will talk about the rights of voters and the importance of voting,” said Badrul.
To make all this happen, he has a 56-man team tasked with running the events.
In the months ahead, Badrul intends to make their presence felt in all Umno constituencies.
“My job is to reach these communities, to explain what has been done, what we are doing and what we are going to do for them in the future,” he said.
However, with the general election expected as early as next year, Badrul admits that he has an uphill task ahead.
“But we can do it,” he added.
Najib: Don’t trust Raja Petra
Sunday, 04 July 2010 Combat
The prime minister said the people should not believe the claims made by the blogger who has fled the country to London.
(Bernama) PEKAN, July 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he leaves it to the authorities to take action against blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin.
The prime minister said the people should not believe the claims made by the blogger who has fled the country to London.
“If Raja Petra is funded by the opposition, it means that his statements are politically-motivated. We should weigh them carefully and not merely accepting them...Roket cuba nak jadi jaguh orang Sabah pulak kerana nak pecahkan monopoli Dacing ke atas Sabah. Cubaan yang baik tetapi adakah orang akan mengambil perhatian di atas kenyataan Penasihat Roket yang memang sudah diketahui suka memanupulasikan keadaan dan situasi untuk dijadikan keuntungan kepada Roket. Roket hanya parti perkauman iaitu menjaga kepentingan kaum Cina dan Roket akan mengambil apa yang diperolehi oleh kaum lain apabila mereka memerintah. Contoh sudah ada kita lihat Pulau Pinang. Kampung Buah Pala, Kampung Asam dan banyak lagi akan lebur di tangan Roket. Orang Sabah jangan terpedaya oleh Roket kerana Roket ini tak boleh bawa kita ke mana-mana pun. Ianya hanya pandai berkata-kata seperti burung belatuk. Ianya akan berkata-kata sehingga orang kata berhenti. Adakah kita inginkan retorik politik atau pembangunan dalam segala aspek. Pembangunan bukan datang sekelip mata tapi datang cara berperingkat-peringkat. Oleh itu orang Sabah kena nilai yang mana kaca dan yang mana intan yang mana baik dan yanag mana buruk.
Kit Siang: Sabahans have become minority in Sabah
PETALING JAYA, July 4 — Lim Kit Siang said today
“After 47 years, Sabahans are now concerned that they have become the minority and strangers in their own land. How can Sabah’s population of 400,000 during the formation of Malaysia in 1963 be now multiplied to over three million today. Super producers in Sabah, where did they come from?” he said during Pakatan Rakyat’s first meeting of Sabahans in Klang Valley.
However, Lim pointed out that many Sabahans have been exploited with false promises which have left many to be unemployed and homeless.
He added that Sabah still lacked the basic infrastructure and necessities to accommodate the growing number of unemployed.
“Something has gone very wrong that Sabah has become so poor. The state is lacking the necessary infrastructure. The federal government had promised that all development in peninsular will also be in Sabah but now even electricity, water and broadband is lacking.
“That is why it is important to have a study and forum to discuss the problems affecting Sabahans. We cannot solve all the problems but we need to start so that we can begin to resolve them,” he said.
Lim also stressed that Sabah had been cheated by Barisan Nasional.
“All are Malaysians including the people of Sabah. It cannot be denied that the promises made when Sabah joined to form Malaysia in 1963 have been broken. For ordinary Sabahans, their economic and social status have not changed after all these years,” he said.
He said that Sabahans have the choice to change for a better future.
“We need to change the power equation in this nation. This cannot be said when Sabah and Sarawak still remain as fixed deposits for Barisan Nasional. If Sabah and Sarawak decides on change then Anwar can become our next prime minister,” he said.
Earlier only 80 people turned up for the forum held to discuss the wellbeing of Sabahans in the Klang Valley.
Speakers and spectators voiced their frustrations with the inability of Barisan Nasional to resolve the economic dilemmas affecting the state.
Participants complained that they were forced to come to Kuala Lumpur because there were no job opportunities in Sabah.
Father Valentine Gompok claimed that students had to resort to prostitution to pay for their debts and workers were misled into leaving their homes with false promises.
PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail questioned how a state which is oil rich could become one of the poorest in the country.
“We must not let ourselves to be exploited. What can we do? We all can do something. We are the ones that can make a change and [don’t] let yourself become a spectator. If we begin now then we can be sure of change,” she said.
She added the federal government had taken everything from Sabah but has failed to protect its people.
Zaid needs to clarify on his relationship with Raja Petra
Saturday, 03 July 2010 Super Admin
"We are wondering that while we are looking around for Raja Petra, yesterday we saw a photograph of Zaid with him. So, who is actually behind Raja Petra?"
(Bernama) -- The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leadership particularly Datuk Zaid Ibrahim should clarify to the people the relationship between him and the editor of the 'Malaysia Today' news portal, Raja Petra Kamarudin.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said if Zaid, who is a member of the PKR Central Leadership Council, were a responsible person, he would offer an explanation on the matter."We are wondering that while we are looking around for Raja Petra, yesterday we saw a photograph of Zaid with him. So, who is actually behind Raja Petra?"
"Raja Petra is criticising the country abroad and making personal attacks on (our) leaders, it's alright if he has the proof. But he says many things in his blog. When there are top opposition leaders with them, they have to explain the relationship between them and Raja Petra," he said.
Hishammuddin, who is also the Umno vice-president and Terengganu Umno chairman, said this to reporters after opening the Hulu Terengganu Umno division meeting, here Saturday.
Raja Petra went missing and did not turn up in court after two warrants of arrest were issued on him for failing to attend court on April 23 and May 23 for the hearing on the publication of the seditious article on the wife of the Prime Minister, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor in the website 'Malaysia Today'.
According to Hishammuddin, the authorities had no report on how Raja Petra had left the country whereas his passport had been surrendered.
"We don't know which passport he was using. If we were to bring him back from England, we have to seek the cooperation of the UK (United Kingdom) police but now, it is obvious that they will not cooperate with us," he said.
Hishammuddin said it was too early to determine whether the authorities would carry out an investigation on Zaid at this moment.
"But in terms of politics, moral and the law, he (Zaid) should make a clarification to us," he added.
On another matter, the minister said stern action including the suspension of the publication 'Suara Perkasa' would be taken if the explanation given by its editor on the publication of the article 'Tahan Ka Siong Bawah ISA', was not satisfactory.
He said the ministry would not compromise with anyone who tried to slander and create a polemic on racial and religious issues.
Hishammuddin said the Home Ministry was responsible for taking action against anyone who posed a threat to national security.
He also refuted the allegation that the ministry was giving special treatment to Suara Perkasa compared to Suara Keadilan.
The Home Ministry had earlier decided not to renew the publication permit for Suara Keadilan which ended at the end of last month as it was dissatisfied with the clarification given by the newspapers' management on several issues.
Jenaka Anwar mengundang kritikan di Sinchew
Jenaka bakal mengundang malapetaka? Demikianlah keadaan yang menimpa Ketua Umum PKR, Anwar Ibrahim apabila beliau secara bergurau mendakwa anak perempuan sulungnya, Nurul Izzah sebagai pewaris dirinya, ketika menjawab soalan sama ada Zaid Ibrahim bakal pewarisnya.
Anwar Ibrahim yang diasak dengan soalan sama ada Zaid Ibrahim "anak emas", malah "bakal pewaris kepada Dato Seri (Anwar Ibrahim)" dalam satu sidang media di parlimen pada 29 Jun 2010, secara bergurau membalas, "Pewaris saya? Pewaris saya Nurul Izzah." Jawapannya mencungkil gelak daripada pemimpin dan wartawan lain yang turut hadir dalam sidang media tersebut.
Bagaimanapun, "jenaka" sedemikian tidak ditampilkan sebagai "jenaka" dalam laporan Sinchew Daily, akhbar bahasa Cina yang terlaris di Malaysia pada keesokannya (30 Jun 2010). Pada muka surat ketujuh, laporan berita ini dibubuhkan tajuk, Anwar Nafi serah tampuk kepada Zaid "Nurul Izzah pewaris saya".
Penampilan sedemikian mungkin memberi persepsi amalan "nepotisme" dalam PKR, lebih-lebih lagi apabila kandungan laporan tersebut tidak menyebut bahawa kenyataan Anwar "Pewaris saya Nurul Izzah" itu diungkapkan dalam konteks "berjenaka".
Persepsi ini diperkukuhkan, apabila Chief Leader Writer Sinchew Daily, Lo Jeng Wung melontarkan kritikan terhadap PKR dan Anwar Ibrahim, berdasarkan laporan tersebut.
"Penasihat PKR Anwar Ibrahim menafikan bahawa beliau akan mewariskan kuasanya kepada Pengerusi Majlis Pimpinan Wilayah Persekutuan, Zaid Ibrahim, malah menyatakan bahawa anak perempuan sulungnya, Nurul Izzah adalah pewarisnya. Ini menunjukkan pergelutan kuasa parti ini telah sampai ke tahap di mana pemimpinnya perlu menyatakan apa yang terpendam dalam hati secara terus."
Lo Jeng Wung bertambah, "Akhirnya, kayu ukur antara baik dengan jahat dalam parti ditentukan mengikut kesukaan seseorang, atau kepatuhan seseorang terhadapnya. Demokrasi dalam PKR semakin menyusut, semakin menyerupai 'Kelab Sahabat Anwar'."
Analisa Lo Jeng Wung tentang pergelutan kuasa PKR ini disiarkan dalam ruang kolumnya pada hari ini, mengulas apa yang tersirat di sebalik perkembangan baru-baru ini dari kaca matanya.
Pada bulan Jun lalu, PKR telah melakukan rombakan yang memperlihatkan bagaimana Menteri Besar Selangor, Khalid Ibrahim dilucutkan jawatan Pengerusi Majlis Pimpinan Negeri Selangor, dan digantikan oleh Azmin Ali. Di samping itu, bekas Menteri Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Zaid Ibrahim pula dilantik sebagai Pengerusi Majlis Pimpinan Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.
Kuasa ketiga, atau sistem dua parti?
Memperkukuhkan sistem dua parti, atau membina kuasa ketiga - persoalan yang semakin diperbincangkan dua tahun kebelakangan ini. Aktivis hak asasi manusia, Kua Kia Soong dalam tulisannya Frogs, Dongkeys & Moronic Oxen: A Third Force in Malaysian Politics?" menyenaraikan apa yang buruknya dalam peralihan kuasa antara dua parti, malah menyatakan bahawa model sistem dua parti tidak memberi pilihan yang sebenarnya kepada rakyat, sebaliknya menyekat pilihan rakyat. Beliau memberi peringatan agar politik negara kita tidak menyusuli landasan ini.
Tulisan Kua Kia Soong ini menyenaraikan masalah-masalah dalam Pakatan Rakyat, mencadangkan agar kuasa ketiga diwujudkan untuk mengimbangi Barisan Nasional dan Pakatan Rakyat. Apa yang harus diberi perhatian, kuasa ketiga yang disaran dalam tulisan tersebut bukan "perjuangan dalam dewan perundangan" semata-mata, tetapi kuasa rakyat yang sedikit banyak memberi tekanan di luar dewan perundangan.
Namun demikian, dalam sistem perlembagaan yang sedia ada, peralihan kuasa kerajaan hanya berlaku di dalam dewan perundangan. Seandainya "kuasa ketiga" mahu melakukan sesuatu, maka mereka terpaksa mengikut jalan dewan perundangan (iaitu politik parti), melainkan kalau ia sanggup melihat diri sebagai kumpulan pendesak semata-mata.
Oleh yang demikian, "kuasa ketiga" tidak dapat terelak daripada bersaing secara terus dengan BN dan PR. Saya tidak berniat untuk membincangkan sistem pilihan raya negara kita yang menyekat "kuasa ketiga" di sini, tetapi cuba membincangkan secara ringkas dari perspektif strategi.
PSM tidak bina kuasa ketiga
Dalam keadaan parti politik yang melambak di negara kita, percubaan membina satu parti yang baru untuk dijadikan lambang "kuasa ketiga" kemungkinan berakhir dengan "melemahkan parti sekutu (yang berpotensi) sebelum diri menjadi kuat". Jadi, kalau "kuasa ketiga" hendak dibina, pilihan yang lebih baik adalah mencari gelanggang di luar kedua-dua BN dan PR.
Namun demikian, parti politik yang mempunyai kemampuan untuk membina "kuasa ketiga" sebenarnya tidak banyak. Pilihannya lebih terbatas lantaran daripada faktor ideologi, apabila mereka yang mahu membina kuasa ketiga kebanyakannya adalah orang "kiri". Di Malaysia Barat, mungkin hanya Parti Hak Asasi Rakyat Malaysia (PAHAM) dan Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) yang berpotensi melakukan sesuatu.
Hindraf yang memainkan peranan penting dalam PRU ke-12 kini telah meretak kepada beberapa sekta. Sebahagiannya telah dipikat BN, misalnya Parti Makkal Sakthi. Anggota Hindraf yang berada dalam PR masih kekal dalam PR, sementara sekumpulan yang tegas menentang BN tetapi tidak menaruh harapan kepada PR pula menubuhkan PAHAM.
Daripada saf pimpinan PAHAM, ia seolah-olahnya Hindraf yang lebih "tulen". PAHAM mempunyai pengaruh di kalangan komuniti India, kerana mewarisi kewibawaan Hindraf. PRK Hulu Selangor baru-baru ini menyaksikan bagaimana PAHAM mengambil pendirian untuk tidak menyebelahi mana-mana parti, dan ingin membentuk kuasa ketiga dengan kumpulan berkepentingan yang sama dari Malaysia Timur. Walaupun PAHAM tidak masuk bertanding dalam PRK ini, tetapi mereka telah mengumumkan bahawa mereka akan bertanding untuk beberapa kerusi, dan menentang BN dan PR dalam PRU yang akan datang.
PSM pula memutuskan untuk tidak membina "kuasa ketiga" selepas perbincangan dalam Kongres Nasional mereka baru-baru ini. Mereka akan bekerjasama dengan lebih erat bersama PR untuk berdepan dengan musuh bersama, malah sudi menggunakan bendera dan manifesto PR dalam PRU yang akan datang.
Kedua-dua kerusi dewan rakyat dan DUN yang dimiliki PSM kini, ditanding di bawah tiket PKR dalam PRU ke-12. PSM menjalin hubungan yang baik dengan PR. Tulisan ahli parlimen PSM, Jeyakumar Devaraj Two-party system – and a ‘third force’? mengulas dengan baik pendirian PSM untuk cenderung kepada PR, tetapi bukan menyertai PR.
Sama dengan Kua Kia Soong, Jeyakumar Devaraj menyatakan kekurangan sistem dua parti, malah mengakui bahawa PSM mempunyai pendirian yang berbeza dengan PR dalam banyak isu ekonomi. Namun demikian, PSM menganggap sistem dua parti adalah satu langkah ke depan dalam demokrasi berbanding dominasi BN.
Menyatukan kuasa anti-autokratik
Jika dibandingkan pendirian kedua-dua parti politik ini, saya menganggap pendirian dan keputusan PSM adalah tepat. PAHAM mengadu kedua-dua barisan dan pakatan mengabaikan golongan minoriti (kaum India), lantas menentang kedua-duanya. Namun, jika dilihat dari sudut yang lebih luas, persoalan siapakah "musuh utama" telah dikelirukan dalam hal ini.
Untuk saya, pimpinan PSM lebih masak dengan karya klasikal Marx, Engels dan Lenin, maka lebih jelas dalam pencaturan strategi politiknya. Misalnya, Marx dan Engels talah banyak kali menyatakan dalam karyanya, "menyatukan segala kuasa anti-autokratik, termasuk bekerjasama dengan 'musuh kelas' yang berpotensi. Mereka menyeru agar komunis di serata dunia menyokong pergerakan revolusi untuk menentang sistem sosial dan sistem politik yang sedia ada." (Deklarasi Komunis)
Dalam revolusi kelas kapitalis di Eropah pada tahun 1848, Marx dan Engels menggalakkan buruh untuk menyertai pergerakan ini. "Selagi kelas kapitalis mengambil tindakan revolusi, Parti Komunis akan bersamanya untuk membantah sistem raja yang autokratik, feudalisme dan rakyat yang menghalang perubahan."
Lenin yang memimpin revolusi sosialis pertama juga pernah berkata, "Mengambil segala kesempatan, tak kira peluang yang terlalu kecil pun, untuk mengerah sokongan sekutu yang maksima."
Saya bukan berniat untuk menunjuk-nunjuk di sini dengan memetik Marx, Engels dan Lenin. Saya juga bukan bermaksud untuk mengaplikasikan teori mereka dalam konteks yang kini sudah banyak berbeza. Tetapi, saya ingin mengatakan bahawa dalam senario yang ada sekarang, menarik sokongan segala rakan seperjuangan yang boleh untuk menyerang musuh bersama yang utama adalah pilihan yang lebih tepat.
Tidak dinafikan, prestasi PR bukannya sempurna. Tetapi, di bawah pemerintahan authoritarian BN, pendirian PR untuk anti-autokratik adalah sesuatu yang progresif, meskipun banyak lagi kekurangan dalam pencapaiannya. Dalam senario yang sedemikian, sistem dua parti antara BN dan PR bukan sekadar peralihan kuasa antara dua parti politik yang konservatif seperti yang berlaku di UK, US atau negara lain, tetapi pergelutan antara kuasa progesif dengan kuasa yang menghalang perubahan. Memperkuatkan PR, memperkukuhkan sistem dua parti jauh lebih penting daripada membina "kuasa ketiga".
Selangor is key to Putrajaya, says PKR delegates
KOTA BARU, May 29 — PKR delegates say Selangor is important in the party’s struggle to capture Putrajaya in the next general election.
However the delegates attending PKR’s annual congress also admitted that Selangor could also be the downfall of the party if it does not address the issues affecting the country’s most industrialised state.
Terengganu delegate Rafizi Ramli said Selangor will be used to judge PKR’s credibility to become the federal government.
“The mandate given by the people for PKR to rule Selangor is also a sign that a mandate will also be given for Putrajaya. So every policy decided by the state government will be scrutinised by the electorate and they believe that what is done in Selangor will be repeated in Putrajaya.
“The rakyat trust that we will be clean of corruption especially in Selangor so we must continue ensure this by implementing transparent policies,” he during the debate on the president’s policy speech in front of 2,010 delegates at the Kelantan Trade Centre here.
He proposed that a good governance index should be implemented for all Pakatan Rakyat states.
“With the good governance index, Barisan Nasional states would not dare to use it because if they do then their ranking will drop,” he said.
Kedah delegate Krisna Moorthy said although the public support helped them in the 12th general assembly the loss in Hulu Selangor by-election should be a reminder.
“We are sad with our loss in Hulu Selangor. This shows that PKR’s rule in Selangor has not been satisfying and the state’s policies are not felt by the public.
“The mandate given by the people for PKR to rule Selangor is also a sign that a mandate will also be given for Putrajaya. So every policy decided by the state government will be scrutinised by the electorate and they believe that what is done in Selangor will be repeated in Putrajaya.” Krisna said.
“Our biggest weakness is our communication and informing to the people what we have achieved in Selangor. The state can no longer give excuses because it has the fund and experts in communication to inform the people. If they are not qualified then we should replace them,” he said.
Krisna added that public was disappointed with the mismanagement of the state linked companies.
“Tan Sri Khalid is not indispensable. If he cannot perform then PKR can find other leaders that could replace him,” he said. He also proposed that PKR to establish a special committee to evaluate the government’s performance.
Negeri Sembilan’s Aminudin Harun reminded PKR Selangor to not overlook the importance of the Felda settlements.
“We have yet to see any action and plan towards Felda in Selangor and we have yet to know the findings from the special state body chaired Datuk Zaid Ibrahim. We would like to ask Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim to give his backing so that the Felda settlers will receive a fair treatment,” he said.
“If Felda in Selangor gets better then it will be easier for us in other states with Felda settlements,” he said.
Azmin terpalit dalam pergelutan PKR
"Saya beri amaran terakhir. Mana-mana lagi kenyataan terbuka yang mempertikaikan Menteri Besar Selangor, terus (dihantar) ke Lembaga Disiplin." Demikianlah kata-kata yang terkeluar dari mulut Ketua Umum PKR, Anwar Ibrahim dalam satu mesyuarat pimpinan pusat PKR, menurut sumber dalam parti itu.
Malah, Anwar Ibrahim (gambar kiri) memberi kata-kata akhirnya, "Saya sudah cukup dengan ini. Sesiapa yang cuba menguji kesabaran saya, anda boleh cuba."
Selain itu, sumber maklumat tersebut memberitahu MerdekaReview, bahawa Anwar Ibrahim mengarahkan Azmin Ali untuk menarik balik perletakan jawatannya sebagai Pengerusi Lembaga Pengarah Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS). Bagaimanapun, Azmin Ali cuba membantah atas alasan langkah ini bakal menjejaskan kredibiliti dirinya, malah beliau meluahkan kekhuatirannya bahawa keputusan mengambil alih jawatan Pengerusi Majlis Pimpinan Negeri Selangor pada ketika ini mudah mencungkil kesangsian terhadap dirinya.
"Tiada (ruang untuk) pendapat lain. Ini adalah arahan," tegas Anwar.
Imej Azmin terpalit
Menurut seorang pemimpin yang turut hadir dalam mesyuarat tersebut, Azmin mempersoalkan, "Orang luar berkata ini dan itu terhadap saya, dan kamu masih menyerahkan jawatan ini kepada saya. Bukankah dengan ini, kamu mahu saya jadi 'orang jahat'?"
Namun, pimpinan yang hadir dalam mesyuarat tersebut menganggap langsung tiada masa yang sesuai untuk Azmin Ali (gambar kanan) mengambil alih jawatan Pengerusi Majlis Pimpinan Negeri Selangor dalam keadaan yang paling sempurna. Jadi, ada yang membuka mulut, "Kalau ada sesiapa yang cuba menodai imej kamu, minta maaf, kamu hanya boleh bersabar."
Jelas, tindak tanduk ahli parlimen Gombak merangkap ADUN Bukit Antarabangsa kebelakangan ini memperlihatkan "cita-cita"-nya yang "tidak kecil". Sumber dalam parti tidak menolak kemungkinan bahawa Azmin Ali cuba mengambil kesempatan daripada "ketidakpuasan terhadap Khalid Ibrahim". Namun, dari perspektif luar parti, merebut kerusi dengan Khalid Ibrahim yang meraih sokongan tinggi dalam soal selidik, semestinya berakhir dengan nama diri yang terpalit.
Harus diingatkan, pemilihan PKR yang bakal berlangsung pada akhir tahun ini bukan lagi menggunakan sistem perwakilan seperti dahulu, tetapi kira-kira 300 ribu orang anggota dari seluruh pelusuk akan menggunakan undi dalam tangan mereka untuk memilih pimpinan tertinggi PKR. Maka, hubung antara calon dengan perwakilan tempatan menjadi kurang penting, malah anggota parti secara umumnya akan mengundi berdasarkan persepsi dari media. Sesiapa yang ditonjolkan dengan imej yang lebih positif dalam media, maka beliaulah mempunyai peluang yang lebih cerah.
Khalid Ibrahim dalam PKR Selangor
Sumber memberitahu MerdekaReview, Azmin Ali sebenarnya mengambil kesempatan untuk mendesak Khalid Ibrahim, tetapi "sepanjang proses ini, beliau (Azmin Ali) turut tercedera."
Ketika ditanya laporan bahawa 15 orang ahli parlimen bersepakat untuk mendesak agar Khalid berundur, seorang wakil rakyat mempertikaikan, "Berapa orang ahli parlimen yang kami ada?"
Sememangnya, PKR hanya mempunyai 24 orang ahli parlimen sekarang, termasuk Khalid Ibrahim. Jikalau benar 15 orang ahli parlimen cuba menggulingkan Khalid, maka angka ini telah melebihi separuh daripada jumlah ahli parlimen PKR.
Apakah kekurangan yang ada pada Khalid, sehingga mencungkil ketidakpuasan yang mengombak dari parti? Seorang anggota Majlis Pimpinan Negeri Selangor berkata, selaku MB Selangor, Khalid tidak memberi sumbangan yang besar kepada PKR Selangor. Biarpun Selangor menjadi negeri yang terkaya antara negeri Pakatan Rakyat, namun keadaan kewangan PKR di Selangor amat tidak memuaskan.
Kurang peka dalam politik
Ketua Penerangan PKR Selangor, Tan Yee Kew (gambar kanan) berkata, Khalid Ibrahim tegas membantah penyaluran dana dari khazanah kerajaan ke tabung parti. Jadi, PKR hanya boleh bergantung kepada sumbangan dana daripada ahli parlimen, ADUN dan anggota parti. Ada wakil rakyat yang mencadangkan agar MB mengutip wang parti dengan mengadakan jamuan, tetapi prestasi Khalid jelas tidak memuaskan dalam hal ini.
Selain itu, bekas tokoh korporat ini dikatakan meneliti sendiri kesemua urusan perdagangan, malah enggan melepaskan kuasa kepada orang di bawahnya, menjurus kepada tundaan dan kelewatan dalam prosedur. Keadaan ini mengundang tuduhan bahawa Khalid tidak mempercayai orang lain, maka mereka mengambil kesempatan untuk mendesak agar Khalid akan berubah.
Di samping itu, Khalid yang selama ini berkecimpung dalam dunia korporat, diadu kerana kurang peka dalam politik. Beliau yang berusia 64 tahun mempunyai ego dirinya, dan enggan mendengar cadangan atau pandangan lapisan pemimpin yang lebih muda daripadanya. Malah, latar belakang ini menyebabkan pandangannya sentiasa berbeza dengan NGO dan ahli politik, misalnya ketika berdepan dengan media, Khalid jelas kurang peka.
Justeru itu, Khalid (gambar kiri) yang ditaruh harapan tinggi sering mengecewakan rakan seperjuangan partinya. Seorang ADUN PKR berkata kepada MerdekaReview, "Dasar Selangor jauh lebih baik daripada Barisan Nasional, juga lebih baik daripada Pulau Pinang (misalnya). Tapi, mengapa Pulau Pinang kelihatan baik? Kerana publisiti yang baik."EXCO Senior Selangor, Teresa Kok dari DAP turut menyifatkan Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang, Lim Guan Eng, yang juga Setiausaha Agung DAP sedemikian, "Ketua Menteri ini mungkin tidak berpengalaman dalam pengurusan, tetapi beliau tahu apa yang dikehendaki media. Jadi, beliau tahu bagaimana mengolah hujahnya agar disambut baik NGO dan media."
Secara perbandingannya, publisiti Khalid tidak setanding dengan Lim Guan Eng (gambar kanan). Lantaran daripada itu, pelucutan jawatan Pengerusi PKR Selangor mungkin sesuatu yang dialu-alukan oleh Khalid Ibrahim sendiri, menjelaskan mengapa beliau masih berjenaka dalam mesyuarat tersebut setelah keputusan dibuat.
"Gembira sangatnya (Khalid). Beliau pernah berkata di banyak tempat, bahawa beliau tidak sukar menguruskan hal ehwal dalam parti. Paling baik untuk beliau menumpukan sepenuh perhatiannya dalam pentadbiran kerajaan negeri," kata seorang anggota Majlis Pimpinan Negeri Selangor.
Keputusan pelucutan jawatan Pengerusi ini mungkin melegakan Khalid Ibrahim, yang sering diadu kerana tiada masa untuk menguruskan hal ehwal parti, namun rakannya dalam kerajaan pula menganggap Khalid selaku Menteri Besar, sebenarnya menerima tamparan daripada keputusan parti ini.
Zaid Ibrahim dapat durian runtuh
Secara ringkas, Khalid Ibrahim kehilangan jawatan Pengerusi PKR Selangor dalam pusingan perebutan kuasa ini, namun ia bukan sesuatu yang terlalu pahit, seandainya ditukar dengan kesudahan "meredakan kritikan secara terbuka oleh rakan partinya." Sebaliknya, meskipun Azmin Ali menguasai PKR Selangor, tetapi laporan media semestinya mencalar imejnya.
Rombakan kecil dalam PKR kali ini sebenarnya menguntungkan Zaid Ibrahim (gambar kiri), yang dilantik sebagai Pengerusi Majlis Pimpinan Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. Bekas Menteri Jabatan Perdana Menteri ini menyertai PKR pada tahun 2009, kecundang ketika menyarung jersi PKR untuk bertanding di PRK Hulu Selangor pada April 2010.
UMNO’s Opportunistic Ulama
UMNO’s Opportunistic Ulama
M. Bakri Musa
Like his predecessors Abdullah Badawi and Dr. Mahathir, Prime Minister Najib Razak endlessly proclaims Malaysia to be an Islamic state. Now with 40 young ulama joining the party, Najib must feel that his assertion to be the truth. He could not be more wrong.
Yes, ulama play a central role in an Islamic state. In his book, The Fall and Rise of the Islamic State, Noah Feldman attributed the longevity and eminence of earlier Islamic states to the critical role of the ulama and scholars.
The Islamic governing principle is simple. Rulers are to govern according to God’s law, as stated in the Quran and elaborated in the hadith (sayings and practices of Prophet Muhammad, s.a.w.). The central tenet is, “Command good and forbid evil!” As long as the ruler fulfils this obligation, his power and authority are legitimate and deemed divinely-sanctioned.
It was a tribute to their political skills and intellectual prowess that those early scholars were able to formulate from the Quran and hadith a set of laws – the Shari’a – that today still governs the everyday lives of Muslims, even those not living in Islamic states. At its time the Shari’a represented a quantum leap in the recognition of basic human dignity and rights. As Feldman noted, “For most of its history, Islamic law offered the most liberal and humane legal principles available anywhere in the world.”
The central precept of the Shari’a is that all, rulers and the ruled alike, are governed by it. No one, not even the sultan, is exempted. That is the rule of law at its core.
The ulama’s other major contribution was that they exerted the necessary checks and balances on the powers of the rulers. It was the scholars, not the rulers, who determined what was “good” or “evil.” A ruler had to abide by the decisions of the ulama, for not doing so would mean deviating from God’s law, a sure route towards de-legitimatizing the ruler’s authority.
These two central elements (fidelity to the rule of law and institutionalized checks and balances on the powers of the rulers by the ulama) accounted for the remarkable success and endurance of those early Islamic states.
The absence of both is what dooms many so-called Islamic states today, or indeed any state. Show me a backward society, and I will show one that has no respect for the rule of law and without an institutionalized system of checks and balances. This is true not only in the Islamic World but also elsewhere. Sadly, Malaysia is fast headed there.
The most “Islamic” state today is Iran. There the clergy class has assumed absolute power; there are no checks and balances. Criticizing the mullahs is viewed as criticizing Islam; they thus effectively put themselves above the law. Those who view Iran as the model Islamic state obviously missed the essence and beauty of Islamic principles of governance.
UMNO’s Ulamas
As for the 40 ulama joining UMNO recently, the charitable part of me would like to believe that this was a noble move on their part, an attempt at emulating their illustrious ancient predecessors. That is, they saw the excesses of UMNO and felt compelled to step in to save a venerable institution by providing much-needed checks and balances.
Alas that was not the reason, at least not the one stated by their representative, Fadlan Othman, a junior academic at a local university. His primary reason for joining was to “proselytize from within, for the benefit of UMNO members whom I feel are ripe to have their knowledge, religiosity and spirituality uplifted.” (“Tujuan utama kami memasuki UMNO adalah untuk berdakwah dari dalam, untuk kebaikan ahli-ahli UMNO yang kami rasakan amat subur untuk proses peningkatan ilmiah, keagamaan dan kerohanian.”)
Well, at least he read UMNO members well. I would have been satisfied if he had a more modest goal, like trying to make UMNO and its members more honest and less corrupt.
I am heartened that the announcement of the ulama joining UMNO coincided with the party’s rescinding its earlier decision to legalize sports gambling. If the two were indeed related, then that certainly was a good beginning. Now if as the result of their joining the party, UMNO would also declare “money politics” and corruption haram, then they truly are on the path of rehabilitating the organization and its members.
The realist in me however, saw something else; a bunch of folks with otherwise unpromising careers spotting an opportunity to advance themselves. I see no difference between them and the many not-too-talented young Malays who, unable to advance on their own prowess, sought the patronage of UMNO.
UMNO is inundated with lawyers who cannot draw up a coherent contract and engineers more adept at building a bridge with more water flowing over than under it. This latest crop of recruits is no different. Google their names and their meager scholarly output becomes apparent. As for their khutba (sermons), that too are canned, produced by a committee at headquarters.
Just as these ulama are using UMNO to advance their careers, so too is UMNO exploiting them to enhance the party’s tarnished Islamic image, what with its unwise earlier decision to allow betting in sports. These ulama are there to sanitize UMNO. “Whitewash” is the more appropriate term.
These ulama ought to be reminded that exploitative relationships, personal as well as political, rarely endure.
The game that UMNO is engaged in and where these ulama are only too willing participants is a very old one. Throughout history, locally and elsewhere, the powers-that-be had successfully co-opted willing ulama. Ulama, like other mortals, can be bought; only the price varies. For some, the promise of a steady salary, government-issued car and quarters would do it; for others, an impressive title. However, whether the price is a penny or a pot of gold, a hooker is still a hooker.
Prime Minister and UMNO President Najib Razak is certainly well attuned to these corrupt relationships. Consider his bald statement during the recent Sibu by-election, “You help me, I help you!”
In Malaysia, the market for ulama is saturated. Seen in that light, their eagerness to join UMNO is understandable. They are certainly doing themselves some good, at least in this world, but whether they are also doing the community any good is another matter.
These political ulama, whether in UMNO or PAS, are a far cry from those illustrious earlier ones for whom the prophetic saying, “Scholars are the heirs of the Prophet!” was apt. Likewise, today’s Islamic states, Malaysia included, are a far cry from those earlier ones, which Feldman describes as “so Islamic that they did not need the adjective to describe themselves.”
No wonder Malaysian Prime Ministers from Mahathir to Najib are obsessed in calling Malaysia an Islamic state. They have to, for Malaysia has nothing to show for it but the label.
No Islamic state for DAP, says Karpal
While PR still dreams of capturing Putrajaya and ending Barisan Nasional’s (BN) iron grip on the country, the lingering question is: with the setting up of PR, is DAP now willing to accept PAS’s struggle to build an Islamic state in Malaysia?
For DAP national chairman Karpal Singh, the answer remains no.
“It is impossible for DAP to compromise on that. We cannot compromise for the country to turn into an Islamic state (if PR takes over the government in the future).
“It is a secular state. I believe the late Tunku Abdul Rahman has mentioned that beforeKarpal, who turns 70 today, said that in the past there had been no confusion about Malaysia’s status as a secular state.
The veteran lawyer blamed former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed for changing the reality of the country as a secular state, through political statements made by him in the past which had “confused people” as to the identity of Malaysia.
“The constitution provides for itself. There is nothing in the constitution which says that Malaysia is an Islamic state. Malaysia’s official religion is Islam, but it does not mean it is an Islamic state,” said the DAP strongman.
PAS which is perceived by many to have made inroads among the non-Muslim population, claim that DAP has started to understand and accept PAS’ idea of an Islamic state.
Despite the Islamist’s party’s obvious rebranding in adopting a more liberal and progressive stand, what is clear is that PAS has not given up on the formation of an Islamic state.
Karpal appeared genuinely shocked when told that the Islamist party, during ceramah have been actively telling people that DAP “is slowly accepting the concept of an Islamic state, and respects PAS’ stand on that.”
He insisted that it all fell back on the laws of the land.
“In 1988, back then the Supreme Court had decided that Malaysia was a secular state.
“In 1990, during a ceramah in Sungai Pinang, newspapers had quoted me as saying “Islamic state over my dead body.”
“They (reporters) didn’t report the context of my statement then. I had said that in relation to the constitution. But my stand back then, stays the same now,” added Karpal.
The alliance between DAP and PAS have already been forged prior to PR.
Back in 1999, the two had formed Barisan Alternatif (BA), a short-lived Opposition coalition which ebbed away into disarray after a few years together due to the Islamic state issue.
One of the main reasons for the split was because of the vast ideological difference between the two parties.
“We have had alliances in the past, but it failed. What is different now is that we are united in getting rid of the common enemy, which is Barisan Nasional.
“Right now, this is our most urgent concern, to take over Putrajaya from BN.”
But what happens after PR becomes the federal government?
Karpal admitted that right now he did not see how either PAS or DAP could come to a compromise with this issue.
“There will come a time when we will have to face this fact. How do we compromise? If DAP compromises, it means that it accepts Malaysia as an Islamic state, and if PAS compromises, it settles for a secular state and this would go against their own principles.
“What is keeping Pakatan together is PKR. Without PKR, it would have been the same situation as before,” said Karpal.
The Bukit Gelugor MP made reassuring noises that the matter has always been discussed by the DAP.
But what seems clear is that DAP and PAS will only address the issue if they actually win majority votes in the nest general elections.
Party insiders within DAP are optimistic that there is still hope for PAS to change its stand on the Islamic state issue.
“PAS’ liberal, progressive young leaders are the key to achieving a proper understanding of a compromise.
“Should they rise in ranks within the party, then we have a good chance to talk to the party leadership, to make them understand,” said a DAP MP who spoke on condition of anonymity.
According to the DAP insider, while the Ulama still maintained control of the party leadership, the talks could not yet take place.
“Once PR takes over the government, PAS will see the rationale and necessity of a compromise. But we have to be patient. We cannot be seen to push these progressive leaders to the top, we will cross the bridge when it comes,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
Umno last week took in 40 ulama who are seen as progressive and influential among pious urban Malays while PKR has also recruited preachers to get the rural Malay vote.
The trend suggests religiosity will play a major role in the next elections as most Malaysians shed race as their difference when voting due to acceptance of a two-coalition state.
Anwar needs to swallow bitter pill — A PKR Insider
JUNE 27 — The storm in Keadilan threatening to cut short Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s tenure as Selangor Mentri Besar has put the party’s supremo Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s stewardship into question.
The simmering discontent among party leaders towards Khalid has taken place for so long and is an open secret among party followers.
Recent turn of events indicate that some power play is constructively at work from Khalid and his detractors.
The coalition against Khalid ballooned to about 18 MPs (Keadilan has 25 MPs in total) agreed that a drastic shake-up has got to take place within Selangor’s leadership.
Their main worry is that under the leadership of Khalid, Selangor is steadily slipping away from Keadilan and Pakatan Rakyat’s grasp.
Their animosity towards the Mentri Besar has also been compounded by the fact that Khalid had been given advice and warnings on numerous occasions to change his ways.
However, true to typical Khalid-style, there has not been any effort or concrete actions from him to moveThe push for Khalid to include more party representatives in Selangor State GLCs as well as inputs with regards to decision making process were aimed at ensuring that the party prosper together with the state’s development.
In spite of all that has been asked of him, Khalid’s aloofness has reached nonsensical level when he went against political bureau’s decision and even Anwar’s directive himself.
The apparent ‘last straw’ seem to be the arrogant manner in which Khalid renege on the party’s decision with regards to the appointment of his political secretary to replace Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Khalid has cold-storaged Nik Nazmi to the extent that the latter is deemed to be ineffective and unable to deliver the enormous tasked entrusted on his young shoulders.
Hence, the party made it clear that they want to appoint someone with considerable political acumen to bridge Khalid with the grassroots and at the same time help expand Keadilan’s political clout within the state.
Bandar Tun Razak division chief Azman Abidin was chosen from a pool of shortlisted aspirants and was even informed by Anwar himself of the appointment prior to Anwar’s trip overseas.
Azman, under the instructions of Anwar went through the process of briefing and de-briefing with Khalid, Nik Nazmi and a few other party leaders to familiarise himself with the huge task ahead.
During a farewell dinner for Nik Nazmi, Khalid sprang a surprise by announcing Kuala Langat Wanita Chief Faekah Husin as the new political secretary out of the blue.
Azman, who was invited to the function together with the party leadership experienced yet another rabbit-out-of-the-hat political manoeuvre by Khalid.
The manner in which Azman was treated left a bad taste not only to the person himself but also to the rest of the leadership due to the fact that the party decision was not adhered to by Khalid once too many.
Disgusted with Khalid’s arrogance, Azmin had no hesitation and submitted his resignation as a member of board of directors of state-owned PKNS.
Azmin had led PKNS (standing in for Khalid) to be acknowledged as the best State Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) in the country within a short span of time of just over a year.
His drastic action has been picked up as a clear protest signal for the rest of the party leadership to push for real change within the Selangor leadership.
The coalition of 18 MPs have now included Selangor state assemblymen mainly from the Backbenchers Club.
The issue of the party losing their grip on the state has now taken a real face but is lost on Khalid who does not seem to take cognisance of the dire situation.
Keadilan’s grassroots members and leaders alike have high hopes on Selangor leading their charge come next general elections.
For that purpose, Keadilan require adequate resources — infrastructure, manpower and finances — which Selangor has at its disposal.
However, under the leadership of Khalid, the party coffers are running low; machinery is in disarray; and the membership is not growing.
Khalid has ingrained in himself that he needs to separate state and party to the extent that the party is at a loss and worse still, regressing.
Penang has been the arm that channels financial strength to DAP on a nationwide scale much like how Kedah is for PAS.
However, Selangor does not seem to safeguard Keadilan’s future unlike how their Pakatan partners are reaping the benefits of ruling the two northern states.
At the same time, opportunists within the party citing inadequate financial allocations especially from the youth wing at the national and state level have been at the forefront of demanding positions and contracts to be awarded to party members.
With these mongrels shouting and screaming for financial crumbs, it has given Khalid ammunition to silence his critics by claiming that they are in it just for the largesse describing it as an Umno culture creeping into the party.
This behaviour was conveniently slammed by Khalid’s allies Zaid Ibrahim, Tian Chua and also R. Sivarasa.
On the other hand, Khalid has given autonomy to his excos from DAP and PAS to deliver the tasks required according to their portfolios.
However, the lackadaisical attitude of Khalid of not monitoring their delivery has almost got out of hand when Datuk Hassan Ali and his band of posses ran ragged picking fights with fellow Exco members through his hardline stand.
In the meantime, the political dilemma faced by Keadilan’s divisions not just in Selangor but also nationwide goes unaddressed.
Khalid and his allies in the state led by Elizabeth Wong and at the national level by Tian Chua are slowly causing the party to die a slow death.
But the main question is where does Anwar stand in this issue?
Side with Khalid and face the possibility of losing the state or swallow the bitter pill and decisively correct the dire situation.
An amicable solution is currently being worked out for the betterment of the party.
With the economic brilliance of Khalid, he would have been an able Pakatan Rakyat’s Finance Minister-designate and his economic ideas for the country can be better utilised to blunt Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak’s New Economic Model (NEM).
Khalid heading a high-powered committee with Tony Pua and Husam Musa will be able to face Najib heads-on and even provide a far more credible shadow budget incorporating Anwar’s New Economic Agenda.
Similar to many problems besetting Keadilan, Anwar has refused to take a hands-on approach and prefer to allow the dynamics resolve the issue on its own.
However, witnessing how five of his own MPs defecting due to his style and approach, Anwar might be forced to take a decisive action and arrest the downward spiral of his party.
On the other hand, Anwar may also put his foot down and reprimand the leaders of the revolt as well as to ease of their attacks on Khalid.
In private conversations, Anwar has many a time expressed his disappointment with Khalid’s performance in running the state as if he is the CEO of a company named Selangor.
In the end, will Anwar be man enough to take the bull by its horn?The likeliest scenario would be Khalid will remain as MB and it is business as usual; party leaders will continue airing their grouses, opportunists will jump demanding for their peanuts and Selangor will most likely fall into the hands of Umno.
The time is now for Anwar to act and ensure Keadilan survive and he retain the faintest of hope to be installed as the next Prime Minister.
Politicians in the PKR may like to project themselves as saviours to the people, and some may even start believing in their own propaganda, but it is also about power and positions.
By WONG CHUN WAI, The Star
THIS is what we will hear from Parti Keadilan Nasional leaders about the leadership feud in Selangor as they downplay the issue: it is not as bad as portrayed and the press should be blamed for blowing up the matter.
As much as PKR leaders like to project themselves as defenders of the people and the Barisan Nasional as a corrupt, incompetent and detached government, they cannot run away from the fact that politics is about power – or more precisely, the spoils of power.
Selangor is Pakatan Rakyat’s jewel in the crown and Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, a PKR leader, is the Mentri Besar. Another important state, Penang, is under the DAP’s Lim Guan Eng.
The fact that these two states, the most developed in the country, are under Pakatan rule speaks volumes of how much political clout they have gained.
Two years after the 2008 general election, the Pakatan state governments, arguably, have not lost their popularity and voters in these two states are prepared to overlook their occasional slip-ups, seeing them as part of the learning curve.
After all, the Barisan already had their opportunities for the past five decades, so why should the inexperience of these two new state governments not be forgiven?
With one foot in the state government and another foot hoping to land in Putrajaya, there is strong confidence within the Pakatan that they can push even harder in the next election, with many believing that the administrative capital is within their reach.
But the PKR, as the main component in the Pakatan, is also like any political party. Politicians may like to project themselves as saviours to the people, and some may even start believing in their own propaganda, but it is also about power and positions.
Khalid, a former corporate figure, has a likeable personality and the business and political establishments have found it easy dealing with him. He is, after all, a product of the country’s establishment.
In fact, in the 2007 Ijok by-election, which he contested and lost, the PKR treasurer-general stunned his listeners when he urged them to vote for the Barisan at the end of his speech, surely the result of his long association with the Barisan. Old habits, as they say, die hard.
In the 2008 political tsunami, Khalid won a parliamentary and state seat, and he went on to become a Mentri Besar.
It was a position, many believed, that Azmin Ali, the long-time confidante of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, had long eyed.
Like Khalid, Azmin also has a federal and state seat but the difference is that Azmin is a political animal who sees himself as having gone through a baptism of fire with all the trials and tribulations of an opposition man. Khalid would forever be seen to have an easier path, and worse, parachuted to a prized job.
Every approach made by Khalid since 2008 has been scrutinised, criticised and leaked to the media, including the ill-fated negotiation with PAS leader Datuk Dr Hassan Ali as Deputy Mentri Besar despite having a comfortable majority.
One of the news portals, Malaysia Insider, has attributed the mutiny in PKR, said to involve 16 Members of Parliament, to the lack of largesse – in simple English, it means lack of generosity over rewards and, in the political context, it refers to positions, contracts and titles.
Politicians, whether in the Pakatan and the Barisan, expect, even demand, these so-called loot of victories. More so among the early PKR members who feel that they have fought hard for it and insist that they should be recognised.
They are alarmed that former Barisan leaders, having failed in their own party polls, are now given the platform and accorded titles in the party. They want to know, and rightly so, where these people were in their early years of formation, when they were being beaten up by the police.
Then there are the PKR grassroots leaders, many formerly from Umno, who have not lost their political dealing skills, in a party where there are now growing economic opportunities.
It has not helped Khalid in steering the ship when many of his backers in the state government are former non-governmental organisation leaders.
They have the idealism but they are unlikely to be able to match the manipulative skills of seasoned politicians.
The media has long maintained that state executive councillor Elizabeth Wong, who was involved in a sex picture scandal, was a victim of PKR in-fighting. While it was easy to blame the Barisan, it certainly did not benefit the Barisan and certainly it would not be easy tracking the culprits as one does not need a forensic expert to figure out the possible conspirators.
On Friday night, Khalid reportedly called for an emergency meeting of state PKR leaders at his residence ahead of the leadership retreat this weekend.
The press has reported that the faction aligned to Azmin wants to move a petition to remove Khalid as the Selangor PKR chief.
There’s no smoke without fire. Azmin certainly would not want to see the house burnt down. A side meeting involving the key personalities would probably be brokered by Anwar to strike a deal.
A show of unity would be put up, the mutiny would be dismissed as a figment of imagination by the press, Azmin would remain silent and if the loot is still not well distributed, or honoured, the next revolt would have to be staged. That’s realpolitik.
By Stephanie Sta Maria
PETALING JAYA: PKR supreme council member Zaid Ibrahim believes that party de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim should sack the 15 MPs who are allegedly plotting a “Selangor rebellion”.
News broke of an alleged revolt against Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim by a group of 15 MPs aligned to PKR vice-president Azmin Ali, who recently resigned from the board of Selangor State Corporation on Wednesday. Azmin has denied any involvement in the alleged plot.
According to reports, the group is dissatisfied over the unilateral manner in which Khalid appointed his new political secretary, Faekah Hussin, as well as his inability to make quick decisions.
An exasperated Zaid, however, called the move “a blatant show of indiscipline” and criticised the 15 MPs' disrespect for authority.
“This issue of Khalid has been going on for over a year,” he said. “At the recent party congress, (party president) Dr Wan Azizah (Wan Ismail) clearly said that Khalid was not going to be removed and Anwar reaffirmed this statement. Once the top leaders have made a decision, the rest of the leadership are expected to follow suit.”
“It's not just Khalid who is on trial but the the credibility of the whole party leadership. If Anwar and Wan Azizah's words don't carry weight within PKR, then how can it mean anything to the rest of the world?”
Zaid observed that Anwar's leniency has encouraged brazenness among the leaders and called on him to start putting his foot down. He also expressed annoyance over the longstanding argument that a firmer stand would drive people to abandon ship.
“Let them jump!” he said. “Let them join (prime minister) Najib (Tun Razak), enjoy the two-thirds and do whatever they want. But PKR is a reform party that has to stick to certain principles and if that means settling for a small but committed pool of leaders, then so be it.”
Zaid added that he found it odd that the pressure for Khalid's removal came from MPs and not state assemblymen and councillors.
“The assemblymen and councillors know him best... they seem to have no problems with him,” he said. “DAP and PAS have also been silent. They are very seasoned parties and if Khalid is a liability, they would have surely spoken up. They want to win the next election too, you know.”
Stop behaving like Umno
While he is staunchly against Khalid's removal, Zaid advised disgruntled leaders to use the proper channels if they truly wanted him to step down. He outlined two avenues for doing so – through the party election and vying for the presidential position.
“If you want to be the menteri besar, then aim for the number one position in PKR,” he said. “Stop this power play which only drives you to do silly things that make the headlines. Right now, PKR leaders are behaving like Umno by holding secret meetings and then a surprise press conference.”
Zaid also likened PKR to Umno in its belief that the party must control the state government. He said that such a belief belongs to a communist party and PKR should steer clear of such ideology by respecting the institution of the state.
“Selangor is all we've got and our priority should be safeguarding it,” he said. “If we owned two-thirds, we would have the luxury of playing such games.”
“This is the time for PKR to show resilience, strength, unity and respect but these are also things that it needs to earn from the rakyat. We can't dole out projects like Najib does or offer to strike deals with certain people.”
“PKR has nothing to offer but leaders who are credible and who command respect for their sincerity in their struggle. These are the leaders we want. And if we don't have them, then we have nothing.”
By Stephanie Sta Maria
KUALA LUMPUR: The internal turbulence that has struck PKR in the last six months may have sent ripples of concern through its two comrade parties but has done little to cloud their faith in a Pakatan Rakyat-led future.
Both DAP and PAS stood by PKR in a silent but stoic show of solidarity while it reeled from a series of defections and a bitter by-election loss. And as PKR heads towards party elections in December, they voiced faith that it would emerge stronger and better.
In a recent interview with FMT, however, PKR supreme council member, Zaid Ibrahim, provided a critical analysis of the party's flaws. Topping the list was the lack of credible leaders and Anwar Ibrahim's non-presidential role. [read: Zaid's way forward for PKR]
DAP or PAS continued to maintain a respectful stance while responding to this analysis and were careful not to breach the fine line between observation and outright criticism.
DAP chairman Karpal Singh was in fact puzzled as to why his opinion was being sought on the private matters of another party.
“It's not for us to comment on PKR,” he said. “Yes, we are concerned about its recent troubles but we have never doubted its core leadership, which is still very strong.”
“The defections have served the purpose of weeding out the bad apples, so it's not entirely bad. As for Anwar, I'm sure he has his own reasons for not assuming the role of president and we must respect that.”
'PKR facing confidence issue'
PAS' Dzulkefly Ahmad mirrored Karpal's stand by explaining that PAS preferred to leave the management and commitment of strengthening PKR to its own leadership.
“If the tables were turned, I wouldn't want PKR to tell PAS what to do,” he laughed. “PAS is not at all worried about PKR. But having said that, we definitely want to see all our component parties solid and ready for the next election.”
His colleague, Khalid Samad (photo), meanwhile, contemplated the fairness of comparing PKR to its Pakatan counterparts.
“PKR is under a lot more pressure than PAS and DAP simply because Barisan realises its crucial role within Pakatan,” he noted. “BN is creating huge problems for PKR and despite that, it is doing extremely well. That should not be overlooked in the greater scheme of things.”
DAP Selangor vice-chairman, Charles Santiago, was more blunt in his assessment of PKR. He opined that PKR is facing a “confidence issue” among its supporters.
“Many people are unhappy that their vote has been repaid by defections,” he said. “PKR has to move quickly to restore this confidence, especially among the rural and urban poor. A good start would be for it to be vocal about the Selangor government's performance and delivery.”
Charles also joined Zaid's call for Anwar to step up to the presidential plate.
“He should have been party president a long time ago. I don't know what he's waiting for. DAP has always agreed that Anwar is of great importance in leading Pakatan forward.”
PAS strength a matter of perspection
In his analysis, Zaid had remarked that PAS, unlike PKR, was better trained and prepared for external attacks hence the zero defections. Both Khalid and Dzulkefly only partially agreed with him.
“You can't tell how strong PAS is until it's time for us to display our strength,” Khalid stated. “And like I mentioned earlier, PAS is not under as much pressure because Kelantan isn't a sore a point as Selangor is for BN.”
“Whether we are strong or not is a matter of perception as we can just as easily find ourselves under a similar attack. For now, it is a good image to have and I hope we can live up to it when it is most important.”
Dzulkefly, on the other hand, highlighted the fact that PAS is 50 years old and has been through its own share of turmoil. He went on to defend PKR with the reminder that it is still a very young party.
“Back then, PKR had to choose the best from a very small pool,” he said. “Now that pool has expanded and I'm confident that it will field better candidates the next time round.”
“But this is a lesson for all of us. All three parties could benefit from a better candidate screening process. Eligibility is one thing, readiness to take up the challenge is quite another. There is a lot of risk involved in being an MP and many candidates don't fully realise that.”
DAP and PAS anticipate PKR's party elections to produce a more credible leadership to further solidify the Pakatan coalition and set it on an unstoppable course towards the next general election.
“PKR has been through the worst of times,” Khalid added. “And it can only get better from hereon. BN has constantly highlighted the questionable quality of PKR candidates. It's time PKR fought back and where better to start than its party elections.”
Axe Kamarul, Negeri leaders hint to Anwar
By Zefry Dahalan
SEREMBAN: With PKR en route to a major overhaul this Sunday, several of the party's Negeri Sembilan leaders have hinted to their boss Anwar Ibrahim that perhaps he should relieve state chief Kamarul Bahrin Abas of his duties.
They urged the PKR supremo to make changes based on merit, and not favouritism.
According to one state leader, who declined to be named, there is widespread disappointment with Kamarul, who has purportedly failed to deliver.
“Since the 2008 general election, he has not done much to help us at the division level. We carry out programmes on our own initiative.
"Yes it's true that we can't depend on him alone, but as state chief, he should spend time in assisting us in the divisions to chart our course to capture more seats (in the next election),” he told FMT.
Not rising to the defence
The leader also accused Kamarul, who is the Teluk Kemang MP, of being autocratic and failing to defend his subordinates and the party.
"Any constructive suggestion or critism raised during the state leadership meetings will be thrown out without proper discussion and consideration,” he said.
"When state Umno leaders, including the menteri besar, hurled baseless allegations against the state PKR, he keeps quiet.
"We expect him to defend our party's integrity and image otherwise people will assume that the allegations against us are true," he added.
'Never showed his face'
Meanwhile, FMT learnt from several state PKR and PAS leaders that during the Bagan Pinang by-election last year, Anwar was shocked when he campaigned at Indian majority estates like Siliau and Sua Betong.
"Anwar was bombarded with criticism from the estate workers who were upset that since winning in the election, Kamarul never visited the estates. Anwar could not answer them,” said one of the leaders, who delined to be named.
According to PAS sources, Kamarul “not showing his face in the estates” was cited as one of the reasons in the by-election post-mortem following PAS candidate Zulkefly Mohamad Omar's defeat.
Another senior state leader questioned Kamarul's decision to appoint local Hindraf leader S Haridass as one of his deputies.
"If I am not mistaken, he only became a PKR member after the 2008 general election. What has he done so far in his capacity as deputy chief? He also did not attend the recent PKR congress,” he said.
The state leader, who also requested anonymity, said there were many other capable Indian leaders in Negeri Sembilan.
Anwar is expected to reshuffle the party's state leadership at a retreat in Shah Alam on Sunday.
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