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PAS wins Kuala Terengganu

January 18th, 2009
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This means there’s 82 + 3 non-BN MPs in the parliament. The PAS candidate overturned a 628 deficit into a majority of 2,631, meaning there’s a 3,259 change of voters’ choice. This  cannot go unnoticed in the BN camp.

– The threat of Hudud law, the open spat between PAS and DAP because of the Hudud trap, and the pouring of funds into Kuala Terengganu failed to influence the voters.

– The voters were not worried that the PAS candidate is also a state assemblyman.

– They were not impressed that the BN candidate was a Senator nor a personal aide of current PM.

– The hardwork of Deputy PM Najib also did not pay off.

The majority is not something that BN cannot overcome in the next election, its barely 5% of the overall voters. So, there’s still some sliver of hope. However, its a big blow for UMNO since their image has suffered. They could not deliver the goods when it mattered. One can try blame the Chinese voters from outstation who did not turn up (MCA says up to 3,000 of them), but their votes may have actually increased the majority for PAS.

So what swayed the voters? Local issues? Anwar Ibrahim? candidate personality? The analyst on Awani (Prof Hasbullah I think) said that some of the voters depended on Internet or alternative media, which were provided by their relatives/friends in west coast. Also, both the candidate did not touch on two major issues – Obama and Gaza. He also said if  more young voters voted, the opposition will win (If I heard correctly).

If one looks at the statistics NST reported on Internet presence, it seems BN had learnt their lesson. BN candidate has more hits.

If Google hits are anything to go by, the Barisan Nasional candidate for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election, Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, is a winner.

Till yesterday afternoon, Wan Farid was the clear winner with 467,000 hits, against a mere 136,000 hits for Pas candidate Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut and a measly 1,170 hits for independent candidate Azharuddin Mamat @ Adam.

Even “Kuala Terengganu by-election” scored more Google hits, at 137,000 searches, than the two opposition candidates.

A more precise search with the names of candidate combined with the words, “Kuala Terengganu by-election”, however saw a slightly different set of results, with Wahid scoring 75,900 hits.

In second place was Wan Farid, with 47,100 hits. Azharuddin came in last again, with 497 hits.

On YouTube, both Wan Farid and Wahid tied with 13 videos when their names were keyed in along with the words “Kuala Terengganu by-election”.

Maybe in Kuala Terengganu, Internet presence did not matter much. The rumours of unhappiness over candidate selection surfaced on both sides, so it may be a cause, especially for BN.

The impact of this win will worry not only UMNO, but I believe DAP as well. A win for PAS may signal the willingness to accept Hudud by KT voters. It also means that without PAS, DAP can never hope to be in the parliament as the ruling government since Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu are PAS strongholds. My guess is that this unholy alliance will continue and the parties will cross the bridge when they come to it.

Meanwhile, its Pakatan 2, BN 0.

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Pakatan Retak coming soon?

January 12th, 2009
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From Pakatan Rakyat to Pakatan Retak. Well, what we can expect from politicians 🙂

Since Khairy Jamaludin trapped Husam Musa (or is it something pre-planned?) over the implementation of Hudud, Pakatan is getting agitated. DAP is very unhappy at PAS and Anwar Ibrahim over their stand on Hudud.

If one remembers correctly, there was no mention of Islamic laws in the agreement made the 3 parties to work together. But now, PAS is backstabbing DAP, while PKR is playing sandiwara with words since the by-election is days away.

Let’s look at extracts from a Malaysiakini report below:

Hadi said that hudud laws were not an issue in this by-election because it had already been gazetted in Terengganu when PAS held power between 1999 to 2004.

“It only applies for Muslims while non-Muslims can decide for themselves. Misunderstanding (on this issue) between Pakatan Rakyat (parties) does not arise.

“It is only Umno that is causing problems,” he added.

Lim then replied that DAP respects the opinion of its coalition partners but Pakatan Rakyat cannot make decisions as a federal government unilaterally.

“If any problems occur, we will resolve it through musyawarah, that is through discussions. All three parties must hold discussions and if a consensus is not reached, it must be discussed again.

“This means, should PKR and PAS agree to implement hudud and DAP disagrees then it cannot be implemented. Everything must be discussed until all three parties agree,” he said.

Lim went on along the same vein for about five minutes while Hadi was noticeably uncomfortable forcing Terengganu PAS chief Mustafa Ali intervened.

Mustafa told reporters that hudud was not an issue in the Kuala Terengganu by-election as the results would not have any impact on the state or federal government.

Hmm…the seat got hot for them until squirming nervously?

I always thought that PAS will back-track/backstab/break away from the coalition. Their ideology is being compromised for the sake of winning the general elections, but it cannot be surpressed for long. PKR is depending on Anwar for comments, but no news from Tian Chua and gang. They will most likely support the stronger side, and in this case, PKR-PAS team looks a better prospect than PKR-DAP prospect.

Its very hard to have a balanced partnership in any coalition. Each party would like to think of it as being the backbone of the coalition, and PAS certainly does not want to play 3rd fiddle to Anwar and DAP.

Interestingly, according to Malaysian Insider:

Speaking to The Malaysian Insider earlier, Khairy denied he had backed the implementation of hudud during his debate with Husam.

Khairy, who has in recent weeks been campaigning on a more inclusive agenda in the race for the top job in his party’s Youth wing, was quoted by The Star as saying he supported the implementation of hudud, in what would have certainly damaged his reputation among more moderate Muslims and non-Muslims.

The Star later retracted the report.

So, did he or did he not mention that he will support Hudud law? Suara Keadilan believes he did:

… The issue over hudud – not new – stirred up a storm of reaction after Husam and Khairy both declared at an open debate they would implement the Islamic law if they came to power.

… Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak too tried to limit the damage from Khairy’s comments. The son-in-law of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had been reported as saying he would implement hudud if he won the Umno Youth chief post. He has since said he was misquoted.

Another article from CKcounterpunch blog says:

Husam’s forthrightness led Associate Prof Mohd Agus – also participating in the forum – to ask Khairy point-blankly if he would push for hudud law if he became Umno Youth chief.

Khairy, the 32-year old son-in-law of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said he would.

Many in the audience were taken aback by his answer.

“It contrasted against his earlier remarks about multi-racialism and how important it was for Malaysians to shift to a new paradigm. With Husam, well, PAS and DAP have never been hypocritical about their opposing stands,” said a spectator who declined to be identified.

So, this unclear situation is not good. We may have some negative elements in BN itself who want to implement Hudud.

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Hudud splits Pakatan

January 9th, 2009
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Well well well, Anwar’s support for Hudud law for Muslims only creates a storm for DAP, especially Karpal Singh.

PKR will not reject outright PAS’ plan to implement hudud law, said its de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He also dismissed Karpal Singh’s remark that such legislation was unconstitutional, saying that the DAP chairman was making a general statement.

He said there was no need to reject the proposal as it was only applicable to Muslims.

What was needed, said Anwar, was an in depth discussion among Pakatan Rakyat partners on contentious issues which had resurfaced following a debate between PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa and Umno Youth deputy head Khairy Jamaluddin.

“Hudud is not something new. There is allocation for it in Islam. This is what PAS has been saying all along, that it is solely for the Muslims,” he told reporters after launching the PKR main operation room for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election yesterday.

According to Anwar, all opposition parties understood Islam and that its legislative aspects should not just be confined to Syariah family or civil law.

Describing himself as a practising Muslim, Anwar stressed there was no blanket answer on hudud and that he would not emulate what former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad did, which was to oppose and reject outright hudud law when PAS first proposed it without fully understanding the issue.

He said detailed discussions on the issue could clear the air.

He also urged all dissenting voices to study the specific proposal and its provisions closely before opening their mouths.

TV3 Nightline showed a press statement from Karpal who claimed that for Hudud to be implemented, the status of country should changed to islamic state. However, since Malaysia is secular (well actually its neither there nor here), implementing Hudud is unconstitutional. Malaysiakini extract below:

PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim’s statement that people should not worry about PAS’ intention to implement hudud laws as it would only be applicable to Muslims, was today called a fallacy by DAP stalwart Karpal Singh.

He said this was because Anwar’s statement was “diametrically opposed to PAS’ avowed aim to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state” which Karpal believes would also mean the indiscriminate implementation of hudud laws.

“This has been PAS’ stand from its inception as is clearly reflected by the statements by former and present leaders of PAS.

“In fact, (PAS spiritual leader) Nik Aziz is on record to have said on Dec 22 last year that PAS would implement hudud laws with or without the support of DAP and PKR,” said Karpal in a statement today.

Both News Straits Times and The Star on Dec 23 reported on Nik Aziz’ persistence that his party would pursue the implementation of hudud laws even without the support of its other Pakatan Rakyat coalition members.

He was also quoted as saying that he could not understand why DAP was rejecting hudud laws when he believed they were similar to western laws.

“In light of this statement, there is a fallacy in Anwar’s assertion that hudud laws would only be applicable to Muslims,” Karpal reasoned.

“The pre-requisite of implementing hudud laws is the setting up of an Islamic state and as such, it is wrong for Anwar to imply that the implementation of hudud laws would not affect everyone including the non-Muslims.

“It is important for Anwar to know exactly what PAS intends to do in calling for the setting up of an Islamic state,” Karpal added.

… Meanwhile, Karpal said PAS president Hadi Awang should clear the air as to whether hudud laws were intended to be made applicable to both Muslims and non-Muslims in the event PAS succeeded in setting up an Islamic state.

“In the public interest, he should do so,” said the veteran DAP leader.

Nevertheless, Karpal reiterated DAP’s stand that the country is not an Islamic state and that the implementation of hudud laws would be “unconstitutional”.

Looks like Pakatan had fallen into BN’s trap.

For me, even though they claim Hudud will be only for muslims, sooner or later it will start to interfere in everybody’s lives. That’s inevitable since the nature of their religion is intrusive (my opinion). As it is, we have lots of problem with syariah laws and implementation by the relevant departments.
Having hudud will mean a death trap of sorts for the rest of malaysians people. Personally, i think even the more liberal muslims will not support it. imagine those famous personalities can’t wear strapless gowns at high class dinners. Muslim college students have to cover up (i still having shock over the way some of them dress at a certain uni in cyberjaya – MAIS officers will have a good time there), mat rempits having their body parts chopped off if found guilty of robbing (ok, i’m over-reacting here!).

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I support alcohol sale control

November 28th, 2008
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Regardless of the manner in which the “rule/guideline/bylaw” (I think many people are still unsure on what to call it) has been proposed by PAS representatives, I fully support the restriction the sale of alcohol. Convenience stores and shops in petrol station should not be selling alcohol. So do mini-markets or grocery shops.

It was initially proposed by Pas councillor in Klang, Mohd Termizi, but has been retracted. The proposal was as follows:

Mohd Termizi had suggested that alcohol be sold discreetly; signboards prohibiting Muslims from purchasing alcohol be prominently displayed; only non-Muslims be allowed to manage shops selling alcohol; a special counter be allocated for non-halal products; and a ban on the sale of alcohol at 24-hour convenience stores, sundry shops, mini markets, pharmacies, restaurants and petrol station kiosks.

I think that to complement the sales control, state government should also start a massive campaign blitz at all areas – colleges, universities, factories, temples, mosques, churches, shopping centres, bus stations, etc.

Alcohol-related crime and damages are on increase in UK. I read a report saying the those damages run into billions! We also seem to read in papers nowadays on crimes committed by people high on alcohol. The Selangor state government (PAS included) should provide facts and figures – do some research on countries. Don’t talk in terms of religion, but in terms of economic costs, health, crime rates. The old strategy of simply banning this and that won’t work.

The DAP, PKR, and PAS people must continue this debate. Discuss what to do next. Argue maturely. I definitely don’t want to hear the old mantra of “behind closed doors” that doesn’t seem to respect the people’s intelligence. While at the moment the MB of Selangor and Pakatan Rakyat leader both said that there are  some strategies to enforce current rules, I think its time a committee is set up to study the menace of alcohol.

For me, I support the restricted sale because I understand the damage of alcohol, and at the same time respect the idea that people may WANT to damage their health by consuming alcohol.  But in that process of killing themselves slowly, they should not endanger others. Thus one way to curb this is to limit the locations of sales. This will allow for better enforcement of the rules – no to those under 18, and no to Muslims.

Another angle is to involve NGOs and religious bodies to join the campaign to support under “religious” banner.  Secondly, focus should be on the suburban areas, rural areas, foreign workers hostels, sales of samsu etc.

You know something? My friend’s car was hit by another car from behind near Avon (Federal Highway) last Wednesday. The speeding car was occupied  by 3 very drunk Malay girls. My friends car was damaged, but luckily no one was injured. The parent of one of the girls called him next day to apologise and “kaotim” the problem. No police report in order to avoid unnecessary questions.

Alcohol is no more a non-Muslim problem. Its affecting all, even the foreign workers.

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PAS to establish non Muslim wing

November 14th, 2008
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It seems that the non-Muslim wing would not be on par with the other wings. In other words, second class citizens la. Still unverified, but I think its true.

The wing will be an upgrade of the PAS supporters club.

The decision was taken recently, but not yet implemented.

According to the STAR:

The formation of a non-Muslim wing is a serious indication that PAS wants to distance itself from the premise of “Malay and Muslim unity” and it is a victory for the moderates and technocrats in the Islamist party, said a senior PAS leader who declined to be named.

PAS supporters’ club president Hu Phang Chiau who confirmed the setting up of the non-Muslim wing, says it was a breakthrough for the club members whom he claimed number around 18,000 now.

“We have PAS supporters who are Chinese, Indians and from the various tribes of Sabah and Sarawak,” Hu said in an interview.

He said the confirmation was received in a meeting which he attended together with the club’s patron Parit Buntar MP Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa and several members of its central committee.

“We are now formulating the structure of the wing (Dewan) such as the office bearers’ postions and to synergise it with the other wings such as its Muslimat (Women), Youth and Ulama Dewans,” said Hu who declined to say if he would head the wing.

He added that the party needed to convene a constitutional amendment, expected at next year’s “muktamar” where the non-Muslim wing would be formalised.

He said the party had yet to touch on the prospects of the wing members contesting on PAS tickets in the next election.

“We will discuss it in due process. Now, it is about setting up the wing first and the admission of non-Muslim as members.”

It also remains to be seen if the non-Muslim would be granted direct membership or be regarded as associate-members only, he said.

Obviously, if many non-Muslims join PAS, it will encourage PAS.

UMNO will be seen as the sole protector of the Malay community (which is redundant nowadays because not many pure Malays around). Some PAS hardliners will jump ship to UMNO, while PAS will have to thread carefully in order to manage its non-Muslim members.

Wonder what MCA/MIC/Gerakan will say. Probably will highlight that PAS had created many controversies relating to non-Muslims, and its just pure foolishness to join PAS.

As for DAP and PKR, it may erode their membership, but will strengthen Pakatan as PAS will be seen as less Malay.

Now, the interesting question is, how will PAS manage its non-Muslims? This will be an interesting chapter in PAS’s history.

Now, if they can improve on that 18,000 members first. How many non-Muslims would join PAS?

As for me, I’ll stay away as far away as possible from PAS. No offense to its members, but I’m not into joining a religious political party.

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