Of Winner & Loser

KEPUTUSAN PILIHANRAYA KECIL PARLIMEN PERMATANG PAUH (P44):

 

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (KeADILan): 31,195 undi
Hanafi Mamat (AKIM): 92 undi
Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah (BN): 15,524 undi

 

Jumlah mengundi: 47,258
Peratus keluar mengundi: 81%
Undi rosak: 447 undi
Majoriti: 15,671 undi

 

Penyandang: Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail (KeADILan)
Undi diperolehi 8 Mac 2008: 30,348
Majoriti: 13,398 undi

 

Congratulations to Anwar Ibrahim for the decisive victory in the Permatang Pauh by-election. It seems that all the hard work done by the PR election machinery has truly bears fruit, in surplus I would say. The overwhelming majority shows that the Rakyat supports Anwar without qualification and at the same time take no heed against all accusations made against him.

 

The lost of BN has already been expected. No one in the right sense of mind can say otherwise. P44 is a stronghold for Anwar and his party. This has been clearly proven by all previous election results. Nevertheless BN’s decision to contest for the seat gentlemanly is enough to be applauded.

 

Though roars of applause and cheer are heard, there is something that is in my opinion unsettling. This by-election bear witness to the culmination of personal attacks done by both sides. The campaign seems to be laced with poisonous accusations against one another. Is this real politics?

 

Politics is a tool for civilized man for establishment of governance and authority in order to enforce social justice through law and order. Without it civilization as we know would not exist. Sadly in Malaysia it seems that a new strain of politics has evolved, slur politics. Both sides hurled various degrading accusations, including water bottles and bamboo flag poles, against each other in their effort to garner votes.  

 

Should this kind of politics continue, then what about the major and important issues regarding the Rakyat? Matters such as distribution of wealth, economy, education, employment and preservation of rights seem to fall second to sensationalist issues. Is this healthy for this country? I think not. No matter who wins, Malaysia is losing. This is not the dream that was Malaysia.

 

 

Oath in Vain

These past few days Malaysians are bombarded with the issue of oath swearing (sumpah laknat) in relation to the Saiful Bukhari’s case. Though the person alleged to be concerned in this case has yet to swear anything, others have.

 

There is nothing wrong in swearing in God’s name. But the way things happening right now people seems to mock such swearing by making oath for simply everything. As a Muslim, all should know that such oaths must be taken seriously. Who are we, as servants, as created beings, to swear upon Allah’s name in vain?

 

However appalling this oath swearing drama has become, the Permatang Pauh by-election continues. And reading from all the alternative sources it seems that the PR supporters are unmoved by the ‘sodomy’ allegation put against DSAI. By the look of things plus the fact that Permatang Pauh is PKR’s bastion, PR has a blinding-bright chance to win this by-election.

 

If PKR wins, it will be a huge blow to BN. Until that the nation’s fate hangs in balance.

_____________________________________________________________

 

Word of the Day: Selfish

 

For some reason, only known to me, I wish to quote the word ‘Selfish’ collected from various reliable sources from the net.

 

Due to our current lifestyle which embraces capitalism and hedonism, we vacate from our lives the noble concept of selflessness. In pursuing our worldly dreams and responsibilities most of the time we tend to do things that are chiefly for our own self interest without taking into consideration the lives and feelings of others.

 

Whatever decision that we took in the course of our lives, it can lead to various interpretations. Some may say that one’s act is reasonable or understandable but some may say otherwise i.e. selfish. Then how to compromise? In my opinion the best way to compromise is by understanding the situation as a whole and not to make judgment based on pure feelings. Wallahualam.

 

For all whom I have acted selfishly against, I am sorry.

 

self·ish (s l f sh)

adj.

1. Concerned chiefly or only with oneself:

2. Arising from, characterized by, or showing selfishness

 

selfish

Adjective

1. caring too much about oneself and not enough about others

2. (of behaviour or attitude) motivated by self-interest

 

selfishly adv
selfishness n

 

selfish – concerned chiefly or only with yourself and your advantage to the exclusion of others; “Selfish men were…trying to make capital for themselves out of the sacred cause of civil rights”- Maria Weston Chapman

 

Thesaurus-Related Words

·         egocentric, egoistic, egoistical, self-centered, self-centred – limited to or caring only about yourself and your own needs

·         inconsiderate – lacking regard for the rights or feelings of others; “shockingly inconsiderate behavior”

·         stingy, ungenerous – unwilling to spend; “she practices economy without being stingy”; “an ungenerous response to the appeal for funds”

The Race Is On

All eyes are set to Permatang Pauh. A parliamentary by-election will be held tomorrow. Since the Malaysian political scenario nowadays can be referred to as soap-operas, full of intrigue, conspiracy and what not it is best to identify this election to its main star. The main star in this ‘mega-movie’ is of course the ever charismatic DSAI.

 

For DSAI this election will bear testament to all his efforts in political-showbiz. He must succeed, he must win.

 

For all PR enthusiasts, this election is seen as a platform where their dreams can come true. The outcome will determine whether they can replace those in the current corridors of power or not. If they fail then they will continue bear the stigma of ‘Pembangkang’.

 

For the BN, this election will serve as a major turning point. All know that if DSAI wins and able to enter parliament then PR will have a upper hand. Many things that before this are considered impossible will become otherwise. Nobody knows whether this is good for this country.

 

I wish to say that 26^th August 2008 will be a date that is remembered, either in rejoice or in infamy. Vote carefully dear Permatang Pauhans. The race is on.

Between the lines

An excerpt from The Star (for the full report please read it HERE)

 

“If Mohd Saiful claims that the sodomy allegation was so-called personal between him and Anwar, why is it being blasted in this by-election campaign?

 

“Isn’t this politically motivated?”

____________________________________________

 

Every statement made, if read between the lines, may give rise to various colorful interpretations. The above statement for example can be read:-

 

“When a person is so close becoming a victor in a by-election, no criminal allegations can be made against that person”.

 

“Sodomy allegations can be made to a person only when he or she is not active in politics”.

 

“A politician is maksum (free from wrongs)”.

 

Whatever interpretations can be deduced from such statement, all must have in mind that the Rakyat is not interested in the never-ending political soap-dramas. Enough with propaganda and publicist statements, I personally want to see things resolved and works done.

Wawasan Setia Pelajar

Bersatu kita pelajar UiTM
Kita bangsa perkasa
Taat dan setiaku untuk negara
Penuh semangat waja

Kita jangan mudah terlupa
Pengorbanan perjuangan anak bangsa
Kita jangan mudah terleka
Kemajuan keamanan yang ada
Kita berterima kasih pada pemimpin negara
Kita rasa penuh bersyukur
Kerahmatan kemuliaan dariNya

Kamilah pendukung pewaris bangsa
Kamilah pendaulat bangsa Malaysia
Kamilah pelajar berwawasan
Untuk negaraku

 

The above is the lyrics of one of UiTM’s songs called the ‘Wawasan Setia Pelajar’. In the light of the unfolding events that occur these past few days with regards to UiTM, as an alumni I can’t help myself but to croon and whistle to its tunes.

 

During the days when I a freshman were forced to memorize that song, I am sure that almost all of my peers think that it is something useless not worth the time and effort to do. Some even care not to sing the song properly, humming all the way through except voicing loudly only during the word ‘Kita’.

 

Those carefree days are gone.

 

Now it seems that there is a continuation of the proposal that UiTM be opened, albeit 10%, to all races. Previously that idea was put forward by a non-bumiputera, and it is quite understandable since she is actually politicizing the issue to garner support from the non-bumis. Now a bumiputera himself is bringing up the issue. What is his intention? To soil his own reputation before the eyes of the bumis? To garner support from non-bumis? To divert public attention? Or just simply being an asshole?

 

This MB should get himself more acquainted with the Federal Constitution. In art.153 it is expressly stated that there is a guaranteed special treatment, under the discretion of the Agong, to the bumiputera in respect of matters such as education and training. UiTM was born from this article and it has served the spirit of that article well. The MB should know that his proposal cannot materialize without the full support of the parliament and the Agong. So why the big fuss?

 

The status quo of UiTM needs to be maintained at all costs. She must be defended. For now it seems that there is no one that we can rely to call for her defense. Politicians nowadays, regardless of parties, are preoccupied politicking and scheming, applying brute Machiavellian tactics, against each other for their own self interest. And when there is no politician that is willing to carry the banner of defense, UiTM vice chancellor and his students came forward united in retaliation. Alhamdulillah.

 

All hail to the brave dedicated souls of 5000 strong UiTM students who walked their talk by parading and demonstrating in the foreground of the Selangor MB office.

 

As for me, my crooning and whistling continues…