5/07/2013

Anwar Ibrahim and the Malaysian GE 2013


There were many significant changes to the Malaysian politics during this GE. One of the major developments is the recognition and resurgence of non Malays and their votes. Anwar Ibrahim has pulled the most unlikely combination of DAP and PAS together again to be part of the Pakatan Rakyat. This time the coalition is warmer and more accommodating.

On the side of BN, this is the first time since the racist politics of Mahathir, that BN warmly courted the votes of the non Malays. There was much lesser racist rhetoric from UMNO leaders against the non Malays and about Melayu Ketuanan. UMNO has abandoned a lot of its Malay supremacist politics, coming out to win the non Malay votes. Though not every UMNO leader was supportive of this change, it seemed that Najib was able to bring them together for his One Malaysia formula.

At the rakyat level, the election results were proof that the people of all races were voting for parties and change. The multi racial support for PR candidates was manifested in Malay candidates particularly from PAS being elected in predominantly Chinese constituents and Chinese candidates being elected in Malay majority constituents. This is a much welcomed sign of progress being made by the Malaysian rakyat, that they would no longer be moved by racist politics.

This did not mean that racist politics have been uprooted. Many were still voting on racial lines. But many Malay and non Malay BN supporters were also voting for Najib’s One Malaysia policy. Otherwise BN would not be able to continue as the next govt. BN cannot win the election strictly on the support of a Malay based voters. Many of the Malay voters have moved over to support PR.

The other major shift was that Chinese votes that were for MCA had gone to DAP. MCA is at the verge of becoming history. Gerakan is history. DAP has taken over as the main Chinese based party. BN is left with an ineffective and baseless MCA and other non Malay parties.

All in all, the voting was much lesser on racial lines, more for a more inclusive Malaysia both envisaged by PR and the BN. And if Najib has his way, the new Malaysian govt is likely to be less divided on racial issues and would be pushing for a more Malaysian Malaysia. It has to go that way if it wants to prevent losing more seats to PR in the next GE. PR’s brand and goals of a more inclusive Malaysia is striking the right cord among the rakyat of all races. Najib and BN has no choice or it would only have to count on the remaining Malay votes. It is also the first time that an UMNO leader made a call for reconciliation after a GE, a gesture that reflects a more conciliatory politics of convergence than division.

The other unfortunate development of this GE is Anwar Ibrahim. He failed again in his bid to be the Malaysian PM. In all counts, Anwar could have been the PM long ago. He was the Dep PM under Mahathir and was groomed to be his successor. He fell out of favour and suffered the most brutal and serious violation any Malaysian leader had ever received. He was charged for sodomy, locked up in prison, beaten up by the Police Chief while under custody, suffered physical, mental and emotional assault that could break down any ordinary man.

Anwar was no ordinary man or politician. He was a self made man, a self made leader. He rose to national leadership on his own steam. He is articulate, an intellectual with few equals among the Malaysian leadership, a natural leader and very charismatic. He came out of prison and no one could imagine that he could still garner the support of his followers and believers to fight his way back to Parliament after what Mahathir had dealt him. He was finished, but no. He is the proverbial phoenix that rose from the ashes.

This GE was his swan song, his call. All the predictions gave him a very good chance of leading his coalition to power. It seemed that he was cheated once more. A cruel fate, a cruel twist that deprived this man from his rightful place as the PM of Malaysia.

Anwar Ibrahim was and is the most unfairly treated and victimised Malaysian leader in its history. He has everything in him to beat his competition hands down. He overcame so many odds and harsh obstacles put in his way. Unfortunately fate was not on his side. Inshallah, he may still have one more chance in 5 years time when he just hit 70. Would it be too late? Would Anwar get what he deserves, to lead his country and people as the future PM of Malaysia? He paid a very heavy price to be one, robbed of the premiership by Mahathir and more or less ‘cheated’ again in this election. His PM dream is still an elusive dream that is getting more difficult to realise with the passing of time. So close yet so far. Life has been very cruel to this man. That’s all I can say of Anwar Ibrahim.

I will belanjar him kopi if I meet him.

15 comments:

The said...

In a way, Anwar has himself to blame. He was too high profile among the Pakatan's leaders. Though unfair, his past (whether real or cooked up by Mahathir) did not go down well with the Malays in the kampongs. The urbanites of all races can see through the lies and give the opposition the votes.

The other loser is PAS. Again, unfairly, they have been accused by UMNO of intending to implement Hudud laws. Their Islamic leanings also do not quite jell with DAP.

The biggest loser of course is BN. Despite Mahathir's demented ravings about Lim Kit Siang & DAP being Singapore's Trojan Horse, LKS managed to trounced the incumbent who had been the MB of Johor for donkey years, and trounced him by a huge margin. So, Najib, stop your lies about the Chinese Tsunami - it is a Malaysian Tsunami against corruption and racial politics. LKS could not have won by such a huge margin without Malay and Indian voters.

And, BTW, if there ever was a Chinese Tsunami, guess who created it in the first place? Have you wondered why the Chinese are against UMNO and your policies?

Anonymous said...

The Star, Malaysia

[The changing political dynamics]

CERITALAH
By KARIM RASLAN


"Contrary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s arguments in his victory speech,
the ‘2013 tsunami’ wasn’t merely racial.

There are also powerful socio-economic and political forces at work."


http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/5/7/focus/13075625&sec

Anonymous said...

i waiting for Low Thia Khiang to be PM. 2016 he'll be 60. perhaps 2021 when he's 65.

Gintai_昇泰 said...

Quote
"I will belanjar him kopi if I meet him."
I've put this post and its link to Anwar Ibrahim's FB. Hope he will respond to your invitation. Inshallah! Shukran!

https://m.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10151433058481840&id=16194831839&set=a.10150960538706840.406175.16194831839&__user=1276375863

Anonymous said...

JBJ & David Marshall.
Same, same.
Good men.
Daft voters.

patriot said...

Please lah, Low Thia Khiang is different from those in PAP. He knows the right way to earn respect is to be respected as one who knows himself well. Despite being a good strategist and ability to lead, he does not hog the limelight nor behaves like he is the best amongst his fellow members.

It is clear from his(LTK) demeanour, that he is humble and being humble and conscientious, he knows he has to hunt for a suitable candidate for the most important post in the land. He himself is apparently very conscious of his ability to relate and fraternize with other heads of nation. Been educated in Chinese without the ability to speak Cambridge English is a huge handicap. Me will not be surprised that many Sinkies will slight, ridicule and even humiliate him if he uses the English Language to communicate. I am of the view that he could use the Chinese Language and use interpreter and translator if need to.

Anyway, unless and until Workers Party has enough candidates to contest all constituency, it(WP) is definitely not ready to administer Sg. It is good to know that WP is careful in selecting its candidates.

Like to say that there are some good calibres in National Solidarity Party which contested nearly all the constituencies. And it is likely to do so again in the Next GE, Singaporeans should give NSP a opportunity to prove itself. Most are familiar with one of its member Nicole Seah which in my opinion will make a very good member in Parliament.

patriot

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

I too will belanjar Anwar a kopi. I'll also pay for an ah kwa to give him a blowjob...poor guy.

As I have said before, UMNO is the biggest saboteur of the Malaysian people, however the people do get the government they deserve, seldom the government they NEED.

I was drinking at a bar in Damansara Heights on Friday night and was advised by the Malaysians I was with to "stock up on food and supplies" if I was going to stay past Sunday. Balls to that. I flew to Singapore Sunday morning -- just as the polling booths were opening.

My pet political theory is that most voters will scream "corruption" and "democracy" at their government, but when it comes to actually casting the vote, these same fuckers don't mind corruption and fascism in their government, so long as they all have their homes, jobs and lifestyles more or less INTACT.

Almost no one votes on PRINCIPLE. The most common states of mind when voting are FEAR and narrow self-interest.

I predict the same type of thing in Singapore's 2016 -- the government many people absolutely loath will get back into power. But Singaporeans won't be able to blame UMNO as a scapegoat. Singaporeans will only have themselves to blame.

The Sheeple get the Government They Deserve!

Anonymous said...

in today's world nobody cares if you can speak good or bad english. some old people still have the colonial mentality: leader must know how to speak good english then can talk to leaders from other countries. this is 1950s, 1960s thinking from a time when my father whenever he sees an angmoh no matter how low ranking will still call him, Sir. as long as have good heart and good intentions and strong will and have the support of the people can be pm already. i listen to the present day pappy mps, english also no good. LTK for PM 2016 (or 2021)!!!

Anonymous said...

The only problem is that Sinkies dare not vote oppositions. Malaysian not only voted oppositions, they acted a vigilantes for the oppositions to prevent frauds. See how they detained phoney and ghost voters?

Malaysians boleh and rock, they have bolek(balls).

Anonymous said...

Unless you share the same hobby with him,dun expect he will entertain you for kopi lah.
Anyone with normal iq would have expected the result.
Ask netizen agongkia to buy him liang teh more logical.

Anonymous said...

Walau eh, sinkies talk like political expurts about others politics.
Is your own house in order? Or better than others.
The people in other countries know how to at least keep their houses clean. Sinkies are having and hoping for foreign workers and talents to clean for them.

Anonymous said...

To win a long standing party is very tough especially one that has been in power for more than 50 years. Their claws have extended to everything single little thing that matters. Their opponents have very little resources to fight them. In fact, any win by any opposition party is a huge success for true democracy in singapore.

People has to be educated on the flaws of election and understand the pros and cons of keep voting for the same party. Maybe it is too late but still better than never.

bond

Anonymous said...

'Singaporeans should give NSP a opportunity to prove itself'

NSP is 'new' in the last election. If they re-emerge in the next election, their success rate will be higher. They may even take down a GRC. Voters must do their parts to vote for long term stability not short term gains. Something have to change so our kids or next generation do not have to fork out $1m for a hdb flat.

Anonymous said...

Matilar, please lar just because u like to have blow job, u think all like it with ah kwa. FYI most like it like with those pinoy at the orchard tower lar. May be only u like to be blown by ah kwa.

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

@622:

Please lah. Well known fact that Anwar is bisexual.

I can see by your response that you are a bigot and homophobe.

KNN to you.