The ANWAR prophecy

Most of us are acquainted with the so-called RAHMAN prophecy where the name of our 1st Prime Minister becomes the acronym for the subsequent PMs. So far it has proven correct though with some manipulations

R - Rahman (Tunku Abdul Rahman)
A - Abdul Razak
H - Hussien Onn
M - Mahatir
A - Abdullah Badawi
N - Najib (almost certain unless he drops dead tomorrow)

What happens after Najib? Well, I hope he'll be the last of the BN/UMNO PM. After that Pakatan Rakyat will take over the Federal Government with Anwar as the PM. So is there going to be a ANWAR prophecy? Well, I can't think beyond N. I only thought of N these few days watching the events unfolding in Perak.

A - Anwar
N - Nizar
W - ?
A - ?
R - ?

Crisis can bring out the best in a person. I believe that's what is happening to YAB Nizar. We are seeing a man who have just lost a state government through a coup d'etat but yet so composed, serene and even humorous at times. Yet beneath the composure and serenity lies a never say die and steely spirit in fighting the great injustice that has befallen the Perak people. "Patik menyembah mohon derhaka". These four Malay words uttered by him to the Sultan of Perak will forever be etched in the minds of the Malays when faced with an unjust decision by their monarchs whom they greatly respect. He disclaimed the comparison to Hang Jebat who rebelled against his sultan for unjustly sentencing his friend Hang Tuah to death. Rightly so. YAB Nizar 'derhaka' for the sake of democracy and to defend the rights of the people in Perak from being stripped and robbed by UMNO. It is not for an individual that he 'derhaka'.

I still remember that I shed a tear reading a newspaper report when he visited the family of victims of the flour mills explosion in Lumut. The sight of him hugging closely the ten year old daughter of one of the victims made me rejoice that Perak has been blessed with a great MB.* Alas, the UMNO/BN thieves have stolen from us this blessings. But soon we shall reclaim it and these thieves and robbers will be punished.

YAB Nizar, our Mentri Besar, we know that "you will come through and you shall return". (to quote Gen. MacArthur). You will return not only as the Mentri Besar of Perak but InsyaAllah one day as the PM of our country. May Allah bless you.

* I know politicians do these publicity exercise from time to time but strangely, I can sensed deep compassion coming from YAB Nizar and the sharing of grief was genuine. Reminds me of some the banners Shahrizat Jalil put up during the last GE showing her with some old folks and children, trying to portray her caring side. What a world of difference!

Total Depravity

No. This is not going to be an exposition of the first point of Calvinism. 3 days ago before the Sultan of Perak made the decision not to dissolve the State Assembly, I had a bet with someone. I bet that the Sultan will dissolve the State Assembly based on my high regards for him.

When I heard the news of the Sultan's decision I smsed my friend that I've lost. He smsed back, "Sad. My experience with human nature is consistent."

I've learned my lesson. Talk is cheap.

Ku Li. What an inspiring piece. But I will only respect you when you walk away from UMNO. Learned this from Sultan Azlan Shah and his son. All the talk about rule of law, justice, fairness, good governance etc. became BULLSHIT where the rubber meets the road.

Betrayed

This is how I feel and I know many Perakians share the same feelings. I grew up being told by my father how fearless and righteous Sultan Azlan Shah was during his time on the Bench. When he became the Sultan of Perak, I was so proud to have such a learned, just and wise person to be my Sultan, someone whom I can willingly pledge my allegiance and loyalty. This is especially so when you compared him with the other sultans from other states. I was damn proud to be a Perakian.

I was a bit disturbed and disappointed that in 1988 he didn't speak out during the judicial crisis especially when his successor was unjustly victimised by the Executive and the independence of the judiciary was threatened. Well, I gave him the benefit of doubt. He may have been working behind the scene and given his position it might not be convenient for him to do more in public.

But now, when it is within his powers to right a wrong and to listen to the cries of his subjects, he turned the other way. My heart bleeds. So do many hearts of Malaysians especially anak-anak Perak tonight.

Democracy has been dealt a great blow this day. But it's not a fatal blow. Nay, the rakyat will revive her. The rakyat will make her strong again.

THE RAKYAT WILL NOT BE DEFEATED!

Remember this day

Perakians. Remember this day. Let us neither forgive nor forget.

Rethinking Cross-overs

Prior to Sept 16 2008, I have no qualms about BN MPs wanting to switch sides and bring about the downfall of the Federal Govt. See my reasons here. As to the morality of the whole issue, I was persuaded by William Leong's well argued piece that in effect the ability of MPs to switch party is the essence of democracy given our electoral model as long it is not due to monetary and personal gain.

The events that have taken place in Perak within these few days has made me rethink my position. I still think William Leong is right. However, sadly the fact remains that in Malaysia, 99.9% of the time politicians who switched party or intend to do so will be due to monetary and personal gain. So far only Zaid Ibrahim has shown otherwise albeit in a different context.

As such, I'll support an anti-hopping law that will cause a MP or ADUN to automatically lose their seats once they switched party or even become an independent. However, they must be allowed to re-contest in a by-election. This is to take into account the 0.1% of the politicians who switched allegiance because of personal conviction.

Until such law is enacted, Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat especially PKR will do well to remember that enticing MPs/ADUNs to crossover is a double-edged sword. I need to remember that too.

I hope and pray that the Sultan of Perak will do the right thing.

Yes, bring em' on. Perakians, stand up and be counted.

The Pakatan Govt of Perak is facing a crisis with 2 PKR ADUNs going missing for a week and now tendering their resignations. There are reports that the Deputy Speaker from DAP who is also missing may defect to MCA soon. BN is going all out in orchestrating the downfall of the Perak Govt.

One thing that the Perak MB can do is to seek consent from the Sultan to dissolve the State Assembly and call for a snap election for the whole state. I think that's the best option given the current instability. Let the people decide again.

Although I'm no longer registered as a voter in Perak, as someone born and bred in Ipoh, God willing, I will be back to campaign for Pakatan and will also dig deep into my pockets. I'm sure every Perakian who cherishes justice and thirsts for good governance where ever he/she may be, will also to do the same.

Pray that our wise Sultan will give consent to dissolve the State Assembly.

Let's send BN to its grave. First in Perak, then Malaysia.

Hope

I've not been updating this blog for a while. The last post which was written on the last day of last year was full of pessimism. Things have not changed much. Yes, Pakatan has won the KT bye-election with a convincing win despite all the goodies and threats thrown at the voters by BN. Although excuses have been made on behalf of the Chinese who have continued to vote for BN (e.g. by RPK), I couldn't help but feel ashamed of my race. In terms of selfishness, looking after our own interest, we are No.1. This has been validated through 5000 years of Chinese history. We will sell our mother, if we have to protect our own interest.

The events of the last few days have been quite distressing. Firstly the gruesome pictures that was first shown in Malaysiakini of the late Kugan, an Indian youth who died in police custody. Torture marks were all other his body. This came shortly after few police officers were arrested over pouring hot water on the body of another Indian youth in police custody. The many similar cases in the past just can lead to conclusions. Firstly, torture is part and parcel of police interrogation. Indians are particularly being targeted.

Due to the public outcry, the AG has classified the Kugan's case as murder. But none of the police officers have been arrested yet. From the photographs of the funeral procession the whole incident is turning into a racial issue. Kapar MP has threatened to repeat the Nov 2007 Hindraf rally. If there is going to be such a rally, I hope other races will join in to avoid it becoming another racial event. I believe now it's time to force the Government to set up the IPCMC (Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission)based on the Royal Commission's recommendation. Otherwise, the rakyat should take to the streets to protest against police brutality, corruption and incompetence.

Then, those who were arrested in the PJ candlelight vigil last Nov, were being charged in court yesterday. Why now?

So, things seem to be getting worse. Why then did I put the word "Hope" as the title of this post?

I must admit that I was the few who has not been really following the American presidential campaign last year. I haven't even listen to any Obama's speech though having read how good an orator he is. So I decided to stay up last Tuesday to watch the Inauguration of the 44th President of the USA and listen to his speech. I was not disappointed. In fact, for a while I wished I am an American. Americans should be proud of having such a leader who can inspired hope in the midst of depressing circumstances. I don't think it was empty rhetoric. We have someone who knows what lays before him. We see him making some fast decisions only 2 days after the inauguration from shutting down Gitmo to appointing experienced special envoy to the two most trouble areas in American foreign policy, the Middle East and Afghanistan and Pakistan. America is going to lead again because in Obama, they have a leader.

Well, many have asked whether Malaysia can have its own Obama? Well, before our Obama comes along, we need "choose hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord." (adapted from Obama's inauguration address). So "hope" is a choice. Hope does not depend on the circumstances. The situation in country may be bleak and may even get worse in the coming days, but it can't destroy hope. Because hope is a gift from God. As we other gifts, we can choose to accept or reject.