How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Voters tend to choose party over individual candidates


N22 Teratai (40,862), Selangor, is one of two state seats under P100 Pandan (83,857), the other being N21 Chempaka (42,995). DAP's Tiew Way Keng polled 23,578; BN-Gerakan's Ben Liew Pok Boon polled 9,932; Jenice Lee Ying Ha (Ind) 1,832; Chin Kok Keong (Ind) 115; and Lim Ah Chai (Ind) 61.

Jenice Lee could not accept the fact that she was dropped as a candidate, especially being the incumbent state assemblywoman of Teratai. She went public and was given wide coverage in the mainstream press and television channels (as was typical of anything unfavourable to an opposition party). She even challenged the legality of her being sacked by the party for being an independent candidate in GE13, claiming that the legality of the CEC members themselves is questionable, being subject to ROS investigation on validity of CEC election. But it is pointless to challenge party's sacking of oneself because even if successful, the strained relationship would make it awkward in future. Similarly, her offer to rejoin the party if successfully re-elected went against party procedures and could hardly be considered under any circumstances.

Despite wide publicity in our mainstream media on her grievances, she managed to gather only 1,832 votes as an independent candidate, compared with DAP's chosen candidate's 23,578. This clearly shows the power of a party's symbol during election, if sentiments were in favour of the party.

DAP's veteran, Sim Tong Him got himself into trouble when he allowed himself to be nominated as independent candidate for N20 Kota Laksamana (19,732), even though he was selected as party candidate for P138 Kota Melaka (92,322). He faced the sack even though he explained he did it because he thought the party candidate for N20 was lesser known and likely to lose. After meeting party advisor, Lim Kit Siang, he withdrew from N20, but his name remained according to EC rule. Party candidate, Lai Keun Ban won (11,969) with majority of 8,507! Sim as independent candidate obtained 1,242 votes despite having withdrawn, though too late.  He won Kota Melaka with 49,521 votes and majority of 20,746.

P17 Padang Serai (74,095) was won by PKR's N. Surendran with 34,151 votes; Datuk Heng Seai Kie (BN-MCA) 25,714; Hamidi Abu Hassan (Berjasa) 2,630; N. Gobalakrishnan (Ind) 390; and Othman Wawi (Ind) 279.

N. Gobalakrishnan was the incumbent MP who won on a PKR ticket, but left to be BN-friendly. He was most impressive during GE12 when he challenged police over a busload of dubious voters and was in high profile most of the time. But again, since leaving PKR, he went on a series of attack on his former party and Anwar. He was not selected as a BN candidate, and he stood as independent candidate and lost dismally with only 390 votes.

P22 Pasir Mas (71,965) was won by Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz (PAS) who obtained 33,431 votes, while incumbent MP, Ibrahim Ali (who won as a PAS candidate in GE12, but left to become BN-friendly) stood as independent candidate (25,384 votes). He was not selected by BN, but had the honour of being the first independent candidate who caused the withdrawal of a BN candidate! Most people believed, it was because of Perkasa's patron, Tun Dr Mahathir's endorsement of Ibrahim Ali as their President. But the voters preferred Tok Guru's son instead of someone well known as King of Frogs. Voters generally, do not take kindly to those who betrayed his or her party after being elected.

Similarly, Perkasa's Deputy President, Zulkifli Nordin lost in P108 Shah Alam (99,957), even though he polled a sizeable 38,070 votes, to Khalid Abd Samad (PAS) who obtained 49,009 votes. Zulkifli was selected and stood as BN-Umno candidate. He was incumbent MP of P 18 Kulim-Bandar Baru, Kedah, but left PKR to become BN-friendly, and indulged in a series of attack on PKR and Anwar Ibrahim. He was also infamous for insulting the Hindus and many people condemned Najib for having selected him as BN candidate. Probably, he had the honour of causing BN's greater loss in Selangor to Pakatan, in GE13!


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