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Thursday, May 17, 2007

The Anwar Factor

i recently stumbled across this article below, which kinda true for me and some others but anyways u decide the truth that fits you. Hope that when we finish our studies we could contribute some thoughts of making our country a better place to live in.


Anwar's return to politics worries government as it looks ahead to general elections
by Abdar Rahman Koya
(Wednesday, May 16, 2007)

"Opposition leaders welcome Anwar’s return, although many are unimpressed by his handling of non-domestic issues, as well as his ties to some Western leaders (the comparison between Anwar’s and Mahathir’s foreign policies is the subject of frequent debate among observers). But Anwar, able political animal that he is, has talked his way successfully through both ‘fundamentalist’ and ‘secular’ crowds."

Barely a month after he announced his intention of returning to the political stage, Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia’s former deputy prime minister, is back in limelight. Since being released from jail in late 2004, he had been travelling around the world delivering speeches to academic institutions and thinktanks. Now he has promised to give the Malaysian opposition a shot in the arm.

Anwar’s ability to re-energize the opposition parties, representing different agendas and ideologies, is not to be dismissed altogether. When he was removed from office by Mahathir Mohamad in 1998, he had only three weeks as a free man to travel around the country and do the impossible: unite the various opposition parties, including the Islamic Party (PAS), as well as mobilize huge crowds to oppose Mahathir’s government. Mahathir knew this, always admitting that his former deputy was “efficient”, and so ordered his infamous arrest and orchestrated a long trial by media and judiciary, thus putting Anwar away for the next four years.

How things have changed since. “I have gone through the cycle. I have dined with Kings and I have eaten horrible meals in prison. I am not seeking revenge,” said Anwar in a recent speech. In interviews broadcast by international news channels, Anwar reiterated that he would participate actively in elections and party politics. He has accepted nominations to become the president of the National Justice Party (Keadilan), which was formed after his arrest and is now headed by his wife. Most observers agree that Keadilan, like many parties born out of conflicts in the ruling United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), waxes in strength as UMNO wanes, but Anwar the person is a different matter.

When he was released from jail, barely three months after Mahathir’s retirement, many perceived this as the result of a behind-the-scenes deal with Abdullah Badawi and his government. However, Anwar is now openly attacking government leaders in almost daily public speeches. His most talked-about allegation involves Najib Razak, the current deputy prime minister, also a prime ministerial hopeful, whom Anwar has challenged the police to investigate for his alleged ties to the gruesome murder of a Mongolian woman (an aide of Najib’s is currently being charged with this murder). Asked by reporters whether he intends to sue Anwar for defamation of character, Najib has said that he will not do so, fuelling further rumours that Anwar, who was in office in various positions for 16 years (including time as a deputy and acting prime minister, to whom reports of misbehaviour of cabinet members were sent) could know things that others do not. With so much knowledge of skeletons in cupboards, the government’s response to counter the opposition even in a small by-election is understandable.

There being a notable shortage of charismatic leaders in Malaysia, Anwar appears to be the obvious choice to lead a waning opposition movement that could have swept to power eight years ago, had it not been for irregularities in the electoral process and the overuse of racial prejudices by the ruling party.

When Abdullah Badawi started his term, Malaysians hoped for a fresh start, wiping out everything that had happened during the Mahathir era. Now, however, issues for the opposition are slowly being handed to them on a silver plate. Despite almost three years in power, Abdullah has so far failed to make any impact. The opposition, however, has not been able to exploit his failures and mistakes, because of what is seen as their over-reliance on Mahathir for political opportunities. With Mahathir gone from the scene, PAS is seen as ‘disarmed’, and its struggles look as if they are intended only to make sure that its government in Kelantan state is defended in every election. In this situation, news of Anwar’s return to the domestic political scene is welcome to the opposition parties. He is expected to put all his political skills and personal charisma– which once placed him at the helm of power – to use against the government.

In two recent by-elections he has campaigned actively for opposition candidates. While government leaders have been quick to dismiss Anwar’s chances of becoming prime minister – an ambition he has pursued consistently since his student-leader days in the 1970s – the fact that so many millions of dollars have been spent on two very small bye-elections shows how much the government fears the “Anwar factor”.

Whether this can be translated into votes Anwar himself is not sure. “You come, hear me and clap for me, and then you go home and vote for UMNO the next day,” he quipped to thousands of people at Ijok, a town in Selangor state which is holding a by-election on April 28 (as Crescent goes to press). The town was transformed overnight into a hive of activity, with the government pouring about RM50 million (US$15m) into roadworks, broken pipes, irrigation, building upgrades, agricultural subsidies and cash handouts. At almost every corner, senior government leaders could be seen campaigning to the mere 11,000 or so voters in the district.

Opposition leaders welcome Anwar’s return, although many are unimpressed by his handling of non-domestic issues, as well as his ties to some Western leaders (the comparison between Anwar’s and Mahathir’s foreign policies is the subject of frequent debate among observers). But Anwar, able political animal that he is, has talked his way successfully through both ‘fundamentalist’ and ‘secular’ crowds. In many of his recent speeches, he has been at pains to scoff at speculations that he is a “western agent”. If rarity in speaking out against western attacks on Islam and Muslims is anything to judge by, such speculations cannot be dismissed altogether. Yet he has managed to soothe some ruffled feathers recently, such as last month, when he criticised Australia’s John Howard for being a “lackey” of George Bush in Iraq. It is not everyday that Anwar uses such terms about the US.

At least in domestic politics, the opposition parties need Anwar more than he needs them. The general elections, although not due until 2009, are almost certain to be called before April 2008. Anything held later than that means Anwar – a former convict – will be legally entitled to stand as a candidate, and will almost certainly win a parliamentary seat because of his charisma, despite the procedural irregularities that riddle Malaysia’s electoral process. That is a nightmare that his former colleagues want to avoid at any cost.

So whether the “Anwar factor” is real remains to be seen, depending largely on Abdullah Badawi’s choice of date for Malaysia’s next general elections.

Monday, May 14, 2007

opinion not overlooked....

from maddie...

True. I agree wholeheartedly with the comment.

The entire astronaut fiasco raises the fact that when it comes to accomplishments, our government is more into extravagance than actual substance. Quantity over quality. Who cares what the astronauts get out of it? Malaysians get to say 'hey, we sent astronauts to outer space, and well now isn't that impressive?' So the country gets another claim to fame and admittedly, we all share a tinge of pride knowing that we've managed to join other advanced countries in terms of major triumphs. The aftermath, what comes after? Who even thinks that far, right. Hmmph. Doctors are overglorified in Malaysia! Qualifications aside, maybe someone with extensive credentials that are actually related to astronomy would prove to be a more solid investment for the future of space travel in Malaysia. The extent of how much this could benefit the citizens has been compromised, in attempt to provide a little grandeur, by coming up with astronouts that are also (wow!) doctors. Lucky us, our professionals are really diverse when it comes to expertise. How ironic.

And as for 'jalan sana sini'? I prefer thinking of it as an experience. Travelling might be a more leisurely form of activity compared to studying our asses off in the country/place they sent us, but the learning doesn't have to stop, right?

I guess I'm just as guilty as the rest of us when it comes to spending scholarship allowance for trips to visit friends here and there. It's likely I have ended up splurging every once in a while too. Have I actually gained something from it all? That's left to personal opinion. I'm inclined to believe that we all do.

We owe it to ourselves to be the insightful, discerning individuals that they picked to send abroad.

We owe it to those tax payers (my dad included too) to be something more, not yet another of the governments many failings.

So as long as you know in your heart that it's not all in jest, whatever people say and all their criticism really can't be taken to heart. We are aware of how screwed up things have become back in our beloved homeland and we want to make an active effort to change it.

Thats surely a start, right.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

youre right my friend!!

im compelled to post my friends comments on the previous post i posted.
i cant deny the truth behind her words especially given the situation our nation is facing today...after 50 years of independence shouldnt we look back and see how our country is really doing?

from nawar...

Glid,I do agree the government is spending massively on unnecessary stuff.I'm sorry to say but even sending the astronauts is such a waste.Why?Because they should have sent someone with more background in outer space.Not doctors for God's sake.I'm sorry it's rude but what doctors can do about it?Maybe yes they learn something but they won't benefit that much.And what will they do then?Just touring around?I know the programme has benefited Malaysia in some ways with some deals but still.

Heard about the new Istana Negara RM400 million?Hah,that's another waste.Do you know why they wanted to build a new one?

Bak kata Menteri Tol tuh,balairong kecik sgt.

It amused me so much u know.

But then again,I think I'm wasting the government's money as well.Jalan sana sini gune duit government.Thanks to somebody who actually pointed to me that it's not right to use the tax payers' money for our own leisure.Do you think so?

Bukan apa,I've been attacked by someone yg ckp,budak2 overseas nih duk blaja jauh,pehtu gi jalan2 gune duit rakyat.Yg rakyat kat mesia nih,susah payah carik duit nak bayar tol naik (it affects my dad by the way),minyak naik,minyak masak pun br naik,sumer pun naik die x ingat.Aku terus terdiam.Huhuhuhu.Maybe we should we play our parts too?

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Malaysia my home...

recent events occuring in Malaysia had opened my eyes to the fact that malaysia has been ruled in the utmost delicately wrongly...this may sound a lil bit political but the fact remains that malaysia is somewhat too corrupted to even begin with

i know this does not relate to any mac oriented articles but this article is made on a mac!huhu

what furiates me the most is the fact that the public funds are not being used properly. take example of todays newspaper reporting about samy vellu made a statement saying that an additional 22milion RM has to be forked out to check all remaining buildings in putrajaya. whose gonna pay for this? the public of course!

we all know that these recent building defects are from NEW buildings! common, does this make any sence to you? first of all these building costs hudreds of millions of RM,doesnt the contractor who built the buildings paid enough to build a structure thats actually 'structured'? the fact remains the opposite as floods detected inside the buildings, roofs and walls collapsed...

they're a few explanation for this, weve somewhat mentioned one so far (contractors paid lucratively), but is this true? if the sum paid was lucrative enough why does the shameful defects detected? defects that resulted from poor quality construction materials?-weve paid handsomely so that they can buy quality construction materials....architects made somewhat faulty construction plan?- weve paid enough to even hire architects who can figure out how to make a pyramid ...so whats the problem...if the money is REALLY adequate these problems would have not occured..my point is that the problem stems from either inadequate funds were given to the contactor or the contractor took advantage by buying cheap materials to increase revenue..but why increase revenue if revenue is in the milions already?again the question of inadequacy..

government wont be stupid enough to just pick an amateur contactor to do the job especially without any previous good track records, so we've eliminated one factor.
the other one,about inadequate funds is what we are interested in...huhu..dont have to elaborate who took the money because the minister should explain this though

again, not only malaysians have to pay to get a defected building but pay again to get this building being checked which is not necessary if the building is built properly in the first place...pitty my father who paid the tax and pitty me who will be paying the tax....but ill cut some slack as my scholarship are from the government itself...but nevertheless the truth prevails and fear no evil!

so my friends who are intellectects..do we still wana let our future tax being used unwisely..u all decide (less tax paid the more money u have to buy a mac!)

oh ya....and yet theres that much hassle into increasing government servants pay (which has not increased for about 15 years) when ministers can boastfully say the economy is blooming. i quote the MTUC presidents speech 'somebody say that our move demanding the government to increase our pay is absurd as where does the government gonna get the money? Well everytime we're told that our economy is strong that means the government has money!

not a political view but the truth about Malaysia,my home...

mac facts:

steve jobs who is the current apple CEO and founder was once kicked from apple itself being accused of being too obsessed with work...