Posted by admin
Saturday, 02 May 2009 18:05
SOurce: http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/21288/84/
Actually, there are a lot of disagreements in barisan nasional as well, more than in Pakatan Rakyat. Sometimes the Cabinet meetings are very 'hot'. But the barisan nasional people are not allowed to say anything publicly -- except for umno that is, who is free to say whatever it likes.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Pakatan partners split over conversion issue, said Melissa Loovi of The Malaysian Insider (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/25282-pakatan-partners-split-over-conversion-issue). Yes, reading the headlines gives one the impression that all hell has broken loose in the opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat.
If you can see the wood for the trees then maybe you can look beyond your nose. But that is the trouble with Malaysians. They have been indoctrinated by the government-controlled mainstream media for so long that they only see what they are being allowed to see and not what they should see.
There are always two sides to every scenario, just like there are two sides to a coin. I have said this before and I will say this again. umno and HINDRAF are exactly the same. They are just on opposite sides of the same coin, that's all. umno fights for Malay-Muslim rights and HINDRAF fights for Indian-Hindu rights. So, what difference are the two?
If I change my mind am I fickle (wishy-washy or flip-flop) or am I flexible? If I am slow in making a decision am I undecided or am I thorough? If I don't allow dissent am I firm or am I a despot? If I allow everyone to say his/her piece am I weak or am I democratic? If I fight for my race-religion am I a nationalist patriot or am I a racist pig? If I publish and be damned am I brave or am I irresponsible?
Yes, each scenario can mean different things to different people. What is positive to one person can be negative to another.
barisan nasional appears more stable than Pakatan Rakyat because we do not hear contradictory statements from the 14 component members (or 18 of you include the judiciary, Attorney-General's Chambers, police force and Election Commission as unofficial component members of barisan nasional). However, just because you don't hear a peep does not mean everything is hunky-dory and peachy-rosy. It just means no one dares say anything.
It is not like the non-umno members of barisan nasional did not try to speak out before. It is that whenever they do, they are sacked, suspended, told to go back to India or China, and much more. Some, like the ex-Penang Chief Minister, even had his photograph removed from the wall and shredded to bits. And this is a very senior barisan nasional leader mind you. But even he was not allowed to speak.
It has come to a point that no non-umno barisan nasional leader bothers to speak anymore. Even people like the Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, who is a President of a party and who has since resigned as the Deputy Chief Minister out of protest, had to drag the government to court to get justice.
Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh, Hadi Awang, Nik Aziz, Anwar Ibrahim, or anyone for that matter, are free to speak and to contradict one another. PKR has been given the Penanti seat to contest. PAS Penang says it also wants to contest that seat. Is there blood on the streets? Is PAS told to leave Pakatan Rakyat?
Assuming umno wants to contest that seat and Gerakan or mca or mic says that it also wants to contest the seat -- and that if umno does not allow them to do so then they are still going to field an independent candidate and turn it into a three- or four-corner contest -- can you imagine what will happen? Will umno keep quiet? Or will the photographs of the Gerakan, mca or mic presidents get ripped to shreds? And that is the mild reaction you can expect, mind you. There could even be calls to sack Gerakan, mca or mic from barisan nasional.
Actually, there are a lot of disagreements in barisan nasional as well, more than in Pakatan Rakyat. Sometimes the Cabinet meetings are very 'hot'. But the barisan nasional people are not allowed to say anything publicly -- except for umno that is, who is free to say whatever it likes.
The mainstream media has been instructed to not publish any news about disagreements in barisan nasional. In fact, the barisan nasional leaders are barred from making public statements and are banned from issuing press releases about their disagreements. They are supposed to give an impression that there is absolute consensus and utter peace and harmony in barisan nasional. And even if they do, from time to time, forget themselves and slip up by issuing a public statement, the media will be ordered to not publish it.
Pakatan Rakyat, however, does not ban anyone from making such statements, even if they contradict the party stand. That is why people like Ibrahim Ali (who is after all an independent candidate, only that he contested a PAS seat) and Zulkifli Nordin can make fools of themselves and no action is taken against them. If Ibrahim Ali and Zulkilfi Nordin were in barisan nasional they would never dare open their mouths. And if they did they would have been history a long time ago.
So we need to see the wood for the trees. What the government-owned mainstream media is trying to paint as negative is actually positive, and vice versa. Pakatan Rakyat's so-called 'chaos' is a demonstration of democracy at work. And barisan nasional's so-called peace and harmony is a demonstration of how democracy and freedom of opinion in barisan nasional have been stifled.
That is how you are supposed to interpret things, not the way the government-controlled mainstream media is trying to suggest.
Comments (28)Add Comment
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written by Engineer, May 02, 2009 18:23:47
Thank You RPK.
You have already taught many of us how to read the msm between the lines.
One way is to read with our eyes closed.
The other is to read blog published and the comments.
Another is to interpret verbs different eg split and freedom of speech.
mca picks with umon member would means prick.
mic unites would mean undies
dr m thinks means stink
zambry mentioned means mansion.
najis says means slays
Mudkeris agreed means greedy
and many more
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written by roggon, May 02, 2009 18:28:02
YM. RPK,
This article hits the Be end morons right on to their ars@@@holes. umno has the carrot and a cane to the other Be end components.Talk nice u get a rotten carrot otherwise your arse get sodomised..I mean whacked!!!
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written by justme bc, May 02, 2009 18:47:32
Okay, we got the message long time ago from RPK, the positive thing in the msm we will take it as negative and vice-versa...what do you expect from the spinners, blind people also can see it now and they can no longer fool us anymore, Amena munafik!!!
hidup bangsa malaysia!
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written by Barking out loud, May 02, 2009 18:48:34
Dear RPK,
You are absolutely right. So much of freedom has been stifled in the bn component parties that it is almost impossible for anyone to remember who are the bn component parties other than umno, mca, mic and maybe Gerakan.
If the bn Component parties were allowed more freedom to speak their minds then we may know who they are.
A case to recall about a decade ago when umno was de-registered, I was totally shocked to see one by one of the bn component parties making public statements that they will still support umno even if it does not exist anymore.
There was also the time when dr m said he wanted to resign. There were also so much media coverage in the following days that every single bn component party will make public statement giving their full support to him. This really made me wonder, do they really support him? Or are there many other hidden agenda's behind.
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written by malsia1206, May 02, 2009 18:54:51
And there's just that 1 more dirty tactic used by umno for many years. umno Youth would come up with open public statements with unreasonable demands which have been seditious and provocative in tone and nature. Then their big parent umno would appear to tone the sentiments down, pretending to be the good brother and samaritan to appease the rakyat. Wow, this seems to work in the past. But now, in the eyes of the rakyat, everyone knows umno and umno Youth are just but the 2 sides of the same coin.
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written by mowadoha, May 02, 2009 18:55:13
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written by gycgocnt, May 02, 2009 19:03:57
This is the Power Sharing principle within Babi Negara coalition:
a)umno can defend "Malay" rights, other cannot defend "Non-Malay" rights.
b)umno can challenge others, but others cannot challenge umno.
c)umno can sodomise others back, but others cannot fcuk umno front.
d)umno can use Keris, others cannot use Sword.
e)umno can scold others publicly, others should 'Discuss' behind closed-door.
f)umno can eat all the 'Meat' in project, and others should eat 'Bone' only.
g)umno can treat others as 'Squatters', but others should accept it only.
h)umno can asking for others components seat candidacy, but others just have to answer-Yes, you can.
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written by Kerajaan Rakyat, May 02, 2009 19:12:50
The art of reading
When you read mainstream media
Always read the reverse way
http://malaysia-update.blogspot.com/
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written by Daryl, May 02, 2009 19:40:13
Well said and the PR process will make it stronger for rakyat not a particular group. If we have majority that will think clearly we will see bn goes out the door next PRU. Even in Perak we will see rakyat gather in big numbers to protect the democratic process.
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written by johntyc, May 02, 2009 20:48:59
I don't like it when PR component sometimes voice their disagreement publicly, but this is also why I vote for them, dare to exercise their democratic rights.
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written by hellosunshine, May 02, 2009 20:59:36
As usual, you sound like a spokesperson for PAS defending their antics. For me, if I were PAS and have nothing good to say on the issue, I'll just clam up rather than rock the boat. The current conversion issue touches on the children below legal age who are caught in the middle of a divorce. Imagine their shock, bewilderment, sadness and a host of other negative vibes affecting their young innocent lives. If they were to be converted by force, can they renounce the conversion when they reach legal age? If it is in some other country, probably there would not be any issue as it is reversible but not in bodohland. smilies/grin.gif
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written by Raja Petra, May 02, 2009 21:15:45
Dear hellosunshine, I agree. We should not allow those who say what we don't like to hear the freedom to speak. If they say the 'right' things then okay. If not, then shut up. I can't wait for Pakatan to form the federal government so that we can detain under ISA those people who say things we don't like.
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written by educationist, May 02, 2009 21:36:14
I suspected as much, that it is the msm giving all the disagreements an extra spin.
But, of course, it is comforting to hear RPK's reassuarances!
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written by hellosunshine, May 02, 2009 21:46:57
Dearest RPK, it's not so much like what we don't like to hear but if they must talk, talk sense lah. Don't talk for the sake of talking to win brownie points with extremist and unreasonable views like those idiots ibrahim ali and zulkifli nordin. Tok guru always talk sense and reason but not Hadi. smilies/wink.gif
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written by ChiangKT, May 02, 2009 21:49:06
Freedom of speech should be our basic human rights, and there should be no question why we should defend the best we can. Whether we are wise enough to speak the "right" thing at any time that's another issue. Hellosunshine, we have to come to terms with the qualities of the politicians in Malaysia, who I've to admit I'm not proud of. Perhaps I've been comparing them with the British politicians, so accomplished in almost every ways, say during parliament debate or Question Time, a programme on BBC every week, where politicians and people into politics are invited to discuss about current issues. These politicians may have made a fool of themselves too sometimes in the process, but that's how major issues should be discussed, with lay men contributing to the discussion too. If you are so good a politician, and think you can do a better job than the PAS politician, I'd encourage you to put yourself forward, as Malaysia seriously need good politicians. But you'll need to be able to take criticisms too, and debate/discuss objectively.
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written by meswara, May 02, 2009 22:16:05
" umno and HINDRAF are exactly the same"
RPK, i agree with the thrust of the article... except the line above. You are wrong here.
umno is the OPPRESSING PARTY, HINDRAF is the OPPRESSED PARTY. I make this statement in the context of how hindraf was formed...when muslim officials forcibly removed the bodies of hindus from their loved ones, when indians were murdered in lockups, these were the trigger events that gave birth to Hindraf. We cannot deny how, why Hindraf was formed. Uthaya and gang gave some structure to the sufferrings of the Indians ( the less priveleged)...and thus 'Hindraf" was born.
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written by Malaysian Heart, May 02, 2009 22:27:53
Dear RPK,
"umno and HINDRAF are exactly the same. They are just on opposite sides of the same coin, that's all. umno fights for Malay-Muslim rights and HINDRAF fights for Indian-Hindu rights. So, what difference are the two?"
IMHO, for all their race based pleading & posturing, Hindraf has not once crossed the red line; that of claiming supremacy, requiring special rights over that of others or requiring that the rights of others be curtailed. This makes it unfair to lump them in with those who do. They will in all probability happily fight for those same rights for all Malaysians, provided we can build a compelling enough vision for them to share in. This makes them a natural potential ally for any group who fights for equal rights for all. Have we engaged them & created a vision for all that they will want to share? With respect, I believe that we haven't.
I have written more about why I believe Hindraf deserves our understanding & support here: http://malaysianheart.blogspot...ambau.html
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written by temenggong, May 02, 2009 22:36:55
I have said this before and I will say this again. umno and HINDRAF are exactly the same.
This is the second time you are repeating it Pet. Fighting for individual or group rights is not racism. This is the mistake every casual scholar/writer makes. When one fights for one's rights, one is fighting for all of rakyat!
umno's policies makes it not just racist but fascist. Hindraf's Demands self-defines them as a rights group!
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written by cheekhiaw, May 02, 2009 22:40:52
A bunch of disagreeing idiots is still better than a bunch of agreeing thieves, liars and murderers.
xxx
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written by AlwaysFair, May 02, 2009 22:52:21
umno and HINDRAF are exactly the same. They are just on opposite sides of he same coin, that's all. umno fights for Malay-Muslim rights and HINDRAF fights for Indian-Hindu rights. So, what difference are the two?
I think umno fights for their own rights, with balance for the malay/muslims and bread crumbs dropping from the table for others. With pariah leaders who took all the crumbs and pretty much nothing leftover for their race gave rise to rebellion out of opression and HINDRAF was formed.
I agree with meswara, one is the oppressor and the other the oppressed, one is the robber and the other the victim. smilies/cool.gif smilies/cool.gif
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written by Aramsawafer, May 02, 2009 22:57:01
Dear RPK
We know that the bn is behaving like the Tuan and the other components parties are like their servant or if you like "lap dog". Only when the master say bark, then only they will bark.
On the other hand, we also know that the PR comprising PKR, PAS and DAP all have equal rights and partnership status. We know that their raising of public opinions is also meant to be public and they also at time keep things under wrap. This is true democracy at work, unlike the umno's demon-crazy vendetta each time the lap dog bark without permission, like the KHK case when the mamak shredded his picture.
WE ALL KNOW, but do the general publics know especially those who have no access to alternative media or those pacik-pacik or uncle-aunty etc who do not read at all? How do we reach to them and tell them that the BeEnd/Ameno are devils in disguise serving only their own interest.
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written by Fuminari, May 03, 2009 00:16:42
for Be End,the other components are jus treated n valued as 'dogs' by umno !n these dogs are not even allowed to bark.other wise,gerakan got their leader face torn by madcows,ppp's leader asked to go n fly kite ,n even najis n his cousin hav done the 'go amok 'by pulling out the keris,one vowing to soak in chinese blood n the other sucker mumbling of how he would make sure the race wouldn't go disappear from planet earth without any threat !!!!not even the swine flu.
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written by Parakang, May 03, 2009 00:57:13
To Meswara,
Your arguments is valid, and I agreed with you if the context as what you said. But i weight Pete's as purely on "two sides to a coin" concept. Each side opposite to each other at the same platform of issue. His examples given after that showing his true meaning.
They are talking at the same issue - to champion their right - but umno is oppressing and HINDRAF are oppressed...I'm totally agreed smilies/wink.gif
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written by miwaki, May 03, 2009 01:00:15
bn is just like a company selling obsolete products and the CEO is mr umno.There is no managers in this overstaff company but lots of clerks and office boys and office girls managing various departments.How can there be disagreement when the organization is at such ?
The CEO has absolute power because all his subordinates are made up of very unimportant people in the organization and can be replaced easily.The company is doing badly even in good time as it's selling obsolete products.
Though this company is losing money for the past 50 years,all the staff especially mr umno,the CEO are very rich through corruption.It's time the shareholders of this company take action to sack the whole team and put Mr Pakatan Rakyat as the new CEO of this company.See all you during the next AGM.
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written by Raja Petra, May 03, 2009 01:45:34
You will be surprised to know that there are also Malays and Chinese who fight alongside HINDRAF. Some Malays and Chinese even attend the prayers at the Hindu temples, not to pray, but to give moral support, in spite of the risks these Malays face at being whacked by fellow-Muslims who might condemn them as deviants.
But there are Indians in Malaysia Today who view the Malays, across the board, as 'them'. It is time that Hindraf opened itself to Malay and Chinese participation. Yes, you can fight for the Indian oppressed. But make your fight the struggle in the defense of all oppressed Malaysians, not just Indians.
Furthermore, stop all this 'we want an Indian to represent Indians' rhetoric. Malays, like me, are also prepared to see how we can help improve the lot of the Indians left behind in all the so-called wonderful development of this country.
Not all Indians live in Indian reservations. Many are professionals and rich businessmen. There are more well-to-do Indians in Bangsar compared to Malays, in pro-rata as well as absolute terms. So not all Indians are displaced estate workers, as not all Malays are millionaires, as you can also see in the poorer part of Bangsar.
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written by Tompios, May 03, 2009 04:31:10
Dear RPK,
You hit the 'B' spot to the 'N' and let umno feels the hard way to reach orgasm. Yes, indeed umno and its limited corporation bn absolutely like the old toilets--stink and smelly.
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written by Malaysian Heart, May 03, 2009 04:53:12
Dear RPK,
Agreed,
- many Malays & Chinese have been supportive of Hindraf, may God bless them all
- Hindraf must open up to all Malaysians & broaden their struggle to include justice for all
- we all need to stop looking at each other as "Them", and stop regressing into tribalism & stereotyping by race
- the idea that "we want an X to represent X" can never be the foundation for politics in a truly united Malaysia
But,
- The English educated middle-class Malaysian Indian from Bangsar does not really want to have much to do with Hindraf. His children go to National schools, his temples are safe & God forbid if he should get arrested at a demonstration. He views Hindraf with some unease, distaste & perhaps a little guilt. Hindraf represents all the things he does not want to be reminded about.
- Hindraf's constituents are mainly the Indians who thrown out when the reservations (plantations) were converted. They have experienced generations of oppression, racism, marginalization, alienation, hopelessness and "social problems". They have much more in common with underprivileged Malaysians of any race than the Bangsar Indian. One difference: they have not been kept sedated by the opium of bn's "ketuanan melayu", so they feel their pain more intensely.
- If their attitudes are racial, tribal & distrustful of others, it is because of years of conditioning & oppression under bn, not easily undone. Telling them that there are rich Indians in Bangsar, so get in line & wait for PRU-13 when good things will trickle down to them, won't relieve the pain that they feel right now.
- I'm not saying that their needs should be prioritized above that of others like them, or that PR should compromise on our New Non-Racial Malaysian politics.
- What I am saying is this:
1) PR needs to engage Hindraf directly & help them develop confidence & skills with our New Politics. It won't be easy, but the process will be good for Pakatan.
2) PR should act quickly to relieve the most immediate pain felt by the underprivileged of all races. This should be more important than tiger parks.
3) PR must get its act together. Squabbling between component parties sends the message that it's politics as usual, & who screams the loudest gets the milk. Start walking the talk.
4) PR badly needs to craft & more importantly COMMUNICATE its vision for Malaysia & how it's going to make it happen. We need to see the Permatang Pauh Declaration & the People's Voice & Declaration spoken about and elaborated on much, much more.
Respectfully,
Malaysian Heart
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written by talk2stop, May 03, 2009 08:05:43
After reading your article I feel most Malaysians are zombies. I would not call umno undemocratic for not voicing their concern about internal problems. I would classified it as a well discipline organisation. It is much harder to break a well discipline bn than a democratic bn.
Whick is better? I want to live in a democratic country and work in a well discipline company. Like to have a family that's well discipline and democratic.
But that's not going to happen.
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