Why the denial of BN's 2/3 majority is good for us...

In 2004, BN obtained 198 seats (90.4%) out of a total of 219 parliamentary seats. Arrogance was the rule rather than exception in Parliament, where Nazri used to say that they were given the mandate (as in implementing the Internal Security Act) and therefore they were allowed to do as they please. It culminated in the passing of the bill, which approved the extension of tenure of the Election Commission Chairman by one year, which was obviously for the purpose of the General Election.

Umno, on its own, could almost form the government with 109 seats (49.8%). It just needed one more MP to have a simple majority of one. This gave rise to the arrogance of Ali Rustam who told PPP at their convention in Malacca that if they wanted to leave the coalition, they could do so now, there was not need to wait.

BN’s majority was so great then, that it could do without MCA, MIC, Gerakan and PPP and yet had 2/3 majority at 67% (147 seats)!

BN’s majority without Sarawak parties was 80.9% (177 seats).

BN’s majority without Sabah parties was 85.4% (187 seats).

In 2008, the results of the recently concluded General Election were a real humbling experience for BN in general, and Umno in particular, being the anchor party. It was devastating to MCA (having won only 15 out of 40), and major loss of face to MIC (its President lost in his stronghold of 30 years), PPP (its President lost its only seat in Parliament) and Gerakan (whose acting President lost the only state his party had governed for many years).

BN obtained only 140 seats (63%) out of a total of 222 seats, which denied it the crucial 2/3 majority, which it had got used to for the purpose of amending the Constitution at will.

Umno obtained only 79 seats (36%) and it had to depend on others to form the government.

While it could still form the government with 120 seats (54%) without MCA, MIC, Gerakan and PPP; or without Sabah parties (even excluding its Umno branch) with 116 seats (52%); it could not form the government without Sarawak parties with only 110 seats or (49.5%)!

The opposition, on the other hand, obtained 82 seats (37%) and it could actually form the government with the crossover of only 30 seats!

Overall, it provides a very different political scenario with the possibility of an alternative government. The arrogant Nazri came out with an amazingly humble statement as published in The Star which some took it as with sarcasm:

The election results signal the beginning of the possible demise of the New Economic Policy (NEP) and special rights for the Malays, said Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

The Umno supreme council member said it appeared that the Malays, especially in the town areas, had become more confident now and felt they could compete with the other races on a level playing field.

“We (Umno) have to really sit down and think. It looks like the educated Malays do not care about Malay rights anymore,” he said when contacted.

“The Malay doctors, lawyers, engineers feel they have made it on their own merit.

“It looks like the NEP is not something that can be used to persuade the Malays to support the Barisan Nasional.

“The Malays are saying ‘you can’t scare us by talking about us losing our rights, because we are here on our own merit’.”

Nazri said it looked like some Malays felt that the NEP was unfair, and questioned why special rights should be given to the Malays.

He described the new confidence among the Malays as good for the Malay psyche.

In the just concluded election, the Barisan only managed a simple majority in Parliament, and lost five states (Kedah, Selangor, Kelantan, Penang and Perak) to the Opposition.

The Opposition had largely said they would dismantle the NEP and put in a place a new affirmative action policy based on need rather than race.

Nazri, who retained his Padang Rengas parliamentary seat by a majority of 1,749 votes, said he barely survived the political tsunami.

He said the youngsters – Chinese, Indians and Malays – who returned from Kuala Lumpur to vote in Perak had tried to persuade their parents, who are Barisan supporters, to either not go out to vote or vote for the Opposition.

“I only survived because of my personal touch with the voters,” he said.

He believed the political landscape in the country had changed irreversibly and that all parties would now have to work harder.

“Every wakil rakyat will have to work to win the hearts of the people. This is good for Malaysia because, at the end of the day, it is the rakyat who benefits,” he said.




(The above chart is copied from an article in The Economist)

Kiss a frog and hope it will turn into a Prince?

A frog on a bike might be cute, otherwise, anyway you look at it, is still ugly.

Political frogs are no better. Politicians are known to jump from one party to another for one reason or another.

Ibrahim Ali is acknowledged as the king of political frogs for his record jumps. Probably Jeffery Kitingan comes close as second.

I try not to moralise as each person has his own reasons at a given time to jump ship. What I have in mind is the ugly side of money politics. It might be naïve of me to expect power without wealth. There are so many things that require money to at least survive on and pay for some basic comforts expected of a certain level of position. Is it possible to be politically ambitious without expecting to get rich quick?

Singapore is known to pay their Ministers well so that they will not consider corrupt practices. After all, how much do we actually need in a lifetime? Just look at how Marcos ended up and most people will realise that being exceptionally greedy without being able to enjoy the wealth is pointless. Maybe, his heirs got to enjoy.

It is open knowledge that the situation in Perak is unstable because of the small simple majority of 3 (31 against 28) and that some state assemblymen are being approached to jump ship. As a result, some are in the enviable position of being kingmakers. At a guess, figures of at least Rm1 million are being thrown about as the likely inducement.

The situation seems unfair to the faithful ones as they are assumed to be ‘faithful to the core’ and for want of a better term, ‘incorruptible’. I have mentioned this before and I think it is relevant to quote DAP’s YB Fong Po Kuan who once answered my question: “I would feel insulted if they think I can be bought over”, while DAP’s Teresa Kok replied, “what is the use of money without principles?”

In other words, if we were to encourage politicians to jump ship after a general election, there is no end to further ‘wheeling and dealing’. At the end of the day, the richest side would win them all and we would end up being ruled by the most corrupt people because of their deep pockets, likely to be filled with money from cronies or even foreign backers.

Again, am I being naïve to expect politicians to cross over as a result of being persuaded without the promise of money?

I was prompted by the following article, which appeared in The Malaysian Insider:

Can Anwar become Prime Minister in next few weeks?
KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 – "If there is one name that has pushed Barisan Nasional leaders out of their comfort zone and caused confusion and anxiety, it is Anwar Ibrahim.

When he said on Tuesday that the Opposition should be referred to as the government-in-waiting, he was not referring to five years down the road. He was referring to the next few weeks or months.

He knows that if he manages to convince 30 Members of Parliament to cross over, the government of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will fall.

Since the PKR-DAP-PAS alliance that he cobbled together won big on March 8, taking 52% of the popular vote in Peninsular Malaysia and snaring 82 of the 222 seats in parliament, Anwar has become the most mentioned name in Umno circles.

He knows that the troops of the BN war machine are demoralised and its leaders still reeling from the psychological scars of Election 2008. He will go for the kill, rattling the coalition’s cage, creating the impression of an inevitable wave that some fickle-minded BN MPs will be tempted to abandon the BN ship and join the Opposition.

An Umno division chief from Pahang, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the information, said: “The talk on the ground is which MPs Anwar is going to approach to join PKR. Everyone says that Sabah and Sarawak MPs are being targeted. But I think everyone except the PM and DPM are targets.’’

Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, in a letter asking Abdullah to resign, noted that a move has been made to woo BN representatives to join the Opposition. The fear of crossovers is palpable. "

I hope good sense will prevail.

Perak MB - back to the drawing board

'make up your minds before you come and see me' seems to be the message from Raja Nazrin.

The score was DAP 18, PKR 7 and PAS 6 which totalled 31 against BN’s 28. It would have been straight forward if not for the state constitution which provides for a Malay Muslim as a prerequisite for a Menteri Besar or Chief Minister.

For those Chinese supporters of DAP, who were rejoicing over the shocking, better than expected results, it suddenly dawned on them that there was a possibility of having a Chinese Menteri Besar! Most are unaware of the state constitution’s requirement and they just could not understand why the party with the most seats in a coalition cannot have its own MB. Then came the shocker that it is going to be from PAS! Not only was it a sensitive issue because DAP was deserted in 2004 because of its association with PAS and the perceived fear that the latter is bent on introducing Islamic laws. Recently, Raja Petra in his news portal, Malaysia Today, took great pains to explain that it is impossible because PAS stood for just over 60 parliamentary seats and even if they won them all, it still cannot amend the constitution.

Both DAP and PAS made it very clear that they did not collaborate directly but it was DAP with PKR and PKR with PAS. Barisan Rakyat was actually started by a group of well known bloggers and DAP, PKR and PAS happened to be signatories of their declarations. There were in fact some very creative designs, all aiming to either unite when voting or unite to go against BN. It would have been confusing to the voters if the logos were used in canvassing as the ballot papers show only the party logos of DAP, PKR or PAS.

It was therefore a very delicate coalition. The events within hours - the nominations of 3 names agreed by the 3 parties to be selected by the Sultan, Lim Kit Siang’s call for boycott of the swearing-in ceremony which was apparently before the agreement by the state DAP, caused confusion, criticisms and attacks against LKS. He had since apologised to the Sultan and the Regent, as it would seem open defiance against their decision as agreed.

Malaysiakini’s report gives a good account of events since:

Perak MB's swearing-in put off
Mar 13, 08 4:27pm

breaking news In yet another dramatic twist to the formation new state government in Perak, the swearing-in ceremony of Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as mentri besar today has been cancelled.

Mohammad Nizar, a PAS assemblyman, was to be sworn in at the Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar at 4pm today.

However, palace officials made an announcement at 4.20pm that the ceremony had been put off. No reason was given.

It is learnt that the three candidates for the menteri besar post were involved in a prolonged meeting with the Regent of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah at the Kinta Palace in Ipoh just prior to the swearing-in ceremony.

The meeting lasted from 2.30pm to 4.05pm, hardly leaving any time for them to be at the 4pm swearing-in ceremony at the Kuala Kangsar palace, which is about one hour from Ipoh.

It is not clear what had transpired at the close-door meeting.

Yesterday the DAP-PKR-PAS coalition in Perak agreed to appoint Pasir Panjang state assemblyperson and Perak PAS secretary Nizar as the new menteri besar.

State DAP chairperson and Sitiawan state assemblyperson Ngeh Khoo Ham and an Indian state representative were to be the deputy menteri besar (1) and (2) respectively.

Along with Nizar and Ngeh, PKR’s Behrang assemblyperson Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi's name was also submitted to the regent by the DAP-PKR-PAS coalition.

More stumbling blocks

However the appointment of Nizar was objected by the DAP leadership with party stalwart Lim Kit Siang saying that the party had only agreed for a DAP or a PKR menteri besar.

This morning the problem seemed to have been solved with Lim apologising over his objections and Ngeh stating that all misunderstanding have been clarified.

But in another twist of never-ending problems, PKR today issued a statement threatening to pull out from the state administration on hearing that eight of the 10 executive council posts will go to DAP while the remaining two going to other parties.

Originally it is believed that an agreement was made whereby DAP would get six exco posts and two each for PKR and PAS.

However, there was a last-minute change where DAP was given eight seats in the exco, while PKR one and PAS one.

PKR disputes regent’s choice

Meanwhile more details are emerging as to the details of the meeting the three menteri besar candidates had with Raja Nazrin this afternoon.

According to sources the main reason for the postponement of the swearing-in ceremony this afternoon was due to an objection by the PKR’s Jamaluddin over Nizar’s appointment.

Apparently Jamaluddin told the Raja Nazrin that he disputed the choice made by the regent yesterday to make Nizar the menteri besar.

It is learnt that the regent became upset with this and instructed all three of them - Nizar, Ngeh and Jamaluddin - to go back to the drawing board again to determine their preferred choice.

A statement issued by Ngeh earlier today indicated that Nizar was the regent’s choice to be the state’s menteri besar. According to Ngeh, the regent had rejected his (Ngeh’s) and Jamaluddin’s name although these were the first two choices.

It is also learnt that the regent had asked all 31 state representatives from the three parties to be present before him to swear the allegiance to the new menteri besar, whoever it is.

PGCC - Back to the drawing board

According to a Malaysiakini report:

PGCC project 'not even approved yet'
Beh Lih Yi Mar 12, 08 5:09pm

The multi-billion ringgit Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) project cannot proceed because it has yet to be approved by local government agencies, despite having been announced with great fanfare last year.

Revealing this newly-minted Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said: “Not a single approval letter has been given to the developer by government authorities, whether the Penang Municipal Council or the land office.”“Unfortunately when Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi launched the project (last year), the impression was that approval had been given. The correct information has not been given (to the public).”In view of the situation, said Guan Eng, the developer cannot start any work at the site or sell the project.

“If you say Penangites have been misled, I also have been misled... The Penang Municipal Council has said it has never given any approval so I don’t think we can blame them for that. I would take it at face value,” he noted.


(picture courtesy of The Sun)
Bouquet from developer


At a cost of RM25 billion, PGCC has been billed as the country’s largest private-sector development project. It is also the single-biggest component of the Northern Corridor Economic Region development plan, launched last August.The developer is Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd - an associate company of Equine Capital Bhd controlled by the premier’s ally, businessman Patrick Lim. Equine Capital holds 25 percent of Abad Naluri.

The developer had sent Guan Eng a bouquet yesterday, perked up with small DAP flags. It was the first to arrive at the CM’s office to congratulate Guan Eng on his “historic win” in the elections, according to the card attached.Guan Eng expressed surprise over the gesture: “We can’t stop people from sending us bouquets.

“Before the elections, when our representatives want to meet them for dialogues, it was very hard. This is definitely a departure from their previous attitude.”

My comments:

Politicians are known to have no permanent enemies or friends. I would add that businessmen are the most pragmatic as they have no enemies whatsoever. They can work with any government so long as they can carry out their projects.

Pak Lah was quick to warn Guan Eng not to stoke racial tension... when is this racial thing going to end? Please give him a chance to prove himself.

My wife already commented that a certain road and bridge project in Selama, Kedah is already affected by the withdrawal of federal support because of the change in government. The bridge will continue but the road will be left to the state's own devices.

I expect Penang will be affected too. But it would be nice to see if the new government can attract new investments and if necessary, able to finance its own administration with the expected withdrawal of federal aid.

The fateful Loh Gwo Burne

Who would have thought that a young man accompanying his father to a lawyer’s function could have such a great impact on Malaysian politics?

Though it was only one of the many factors which brought about the winds of change or better known as tsunami, his recording of the famous someone’s (who looks and sounds like Lingam) telephone conversation with another, alleged to be a judge, seems incredible in terms of impact, almost like a divine intervention, meant to cause a change in our political landscape. Of course, it involved others like Anwar who managed to exploit its potential to the full. It could have been different if handled by others. Then came Loh’s candidacy for Kelana Jaya against well known state executive councillor, Lee Hwa Beng vying for his first parliamentary seat, which incurred loud protests from bloggers like Zorro and Haris Ibrahim. It was like sending a lamb to be slaughtered. But Haris changed his mind:

From Haris Ibrahim’s blog, ‘The People’s Parliament’:
31 comments to the ‘PKR, why,why,why?’ post with so many diverse views.
Farida’s though, resonated with my own thoughts.
I have reproduced Farida’s comment below for the benefit of all you Kelana Jaya registered voters.
______________________________
Dear All,
I am not from Kelana Jaya but what goes on there and every other constituency is the rakyat’s business.
Firstly, not every constituency can have a candidate with established credentials. Don’t forget that even established candidates began as first-timers. And first-timers can find delivering their first speeches formidable, and the first run gruelling. But if they stay the course, over the years, they will mature into credible and even incredible Yang Berkhidmats.
Secondly, we are out to defeat BN. So the focus has to be on Billie or Loh. THERE IS NO OTHER CHOICE. You can use this space to argue all you want but it is a done thing - Billie or Loh. If I were a KJaya member, I’d go for Loh for the following reasons:
(a) No matter what the hidden/personal/ self-gratifying reason may be for contesting, he already has a track record, people. He came back to testify, he came back to expose what needed to be exposed. Remember, he could have chosen to stay away from it all.
I call that accountability. I call that taking responsibility. I call that stepping up to the demand of the moment.
(b) So he wins and does a disastrous job of being an MP? Take him to task, your yang berkhidmat, put him on the carpet and finally, if he does not learn, sack him at the next elections.
Billie? He garnered less votes in 2004 than in 1999. He is the role model for his failure theory - ‘dare to fail’ We can’t afford that kind of thinking in this round of elections.
Bottomline: Will you give Loh a chance? After all, you gave BN so many chances. Where did that get us?
If not the party, then the man? MCA’s Lee Hwa Beng then?
Question: Did you hear his voice when BN wanted to extend Fairus’s tenure? Did he speak on your behalf when you called for Rashid’s term to be terminated? Has he ever denounced the ISA? People, where was he? Towing the party line.
I asked a high-ranking MCA guy once why party members had to vote the party line and not according to their conscience.
His answer was simple but frightening : ‘Our taiko is UMNO,’ he replied.
I rest my case.


The outcome was again incredible though I was impressed before the election and even commented in Loh’s blog that he has good political sense besides being a good video maker. Not only did he send Hwa Beng packing, his Kelana Jaya results was the deciding one which denied BN’s 2/3 majority!

From Malik Imtiaz’s blog, Disquiet:

It was almost 4 am when we got to the 75th candidate, Loh Gwo Burne.

The official results were slow in being broadcast. They trickled in, heightening the excitement those of us there felt as the number of candidates on that list slowly increased. Some have suggested that the late declaration and broadcast of official results was aimed at downplaying the shock result so as to avoid untoward incidents. The directive by the police that there be no victory parades supports the theory as does the calls by the DAP for calmness when it learnt of its victory in Penang.

I have a different view. As useful as these efforts were in helping maintain order, if there were going to be clashes that night there would have been. The simple truth is that there were not going to be any clashes that night and the nature of results were the strongest indicator as to why this was going to be. Throughout the country, Malaysian of all communities had voted in support of a multi-racial opposition. They had voted on issues and not on race. There was no reason for any clashes, neither was there a context. Malaysian politics had matured.

And as a friend suggested two days later, perhaps we had laid to rest the ghost of May 13th. I would like to think so.

MIS

While the nation awaited the deciding 75th seat, Kelana Jaya, (to deny BN’s 2/3 majority in Parliament), in Perak, Teja or Simpang Pulai held the deciding 30th seat for control of the state.

It was reported that the results of the last two state constituencies of Teja and Simpang Pulai in Perak were only known at around 4.30am. These last two were crucial as to which coalition is to form the state government. The BN had 28 while DAP-PKR-PAS had 29. Both were confirmed PKR victories and the final tally becomes BN 28 vs BR 31.

While Penang, Kedah and Kelantan had already sworn in their respective Chief Minister and Menteri Besar, rumours were flying about that negotiations between a couple of PKR or PAS winners and BN on possible cross-over were rampant. My immediate reaction was one of disgust if it were true. There should be a law against such despicable acts, and in the absence of such a law, the people should hound such people. Hopefully, good sense will prevail.

Teresa Kok has pointed out the sensitivity of having a PAS Menteri Besar when the DAP had won a majority of the seats. In the previous GE, DAP lost heavily because of its collaboration with PAS and the perceived fear of it introducing Islamic laws. Most people are quite comfortable complying with the Perak state constitution, which requires a Malay muslim to be the MB. However, since PKR has more seats than PAS, it would be a better compromise to have a PKR MB. I am sure the opposition party leaders are quite unprepared for this unexpected victory and the delicate matter should be well thought out, taking into account the sensitivities of all concerned instead of rushing into it.

With the new state administrations from the opposition coalition introducing a more transparent and accountable approach, I hope it will lead to encouraging a new breed of politicians who are more professional and dedicated without harbouring hopes of making money on the side. It is going to be honest work with a different mindset of serving the public and the state. In time to come, most of the politicians will be serving one or two terms each (depending on their genuine inclination to serve) until another dedicated person comes along.