The fall of PR government in Perak has boosted the ego of UMNO. The loud call for change which we heard right after the last general election has turned into the same old voice of racism, extremism and arrogance again. The only UMNO leaders who are persistent with their call for change are Tengku Razaleigh and Zaid Ibrahim. The latter had resigned from the party with disgust and formed his own organisation to promote non-racialism.
Tengku Razaleigh is still reminiscing the old UMNO which was to him a great and generous party. In an interview with Astro Awani, which I was a guest caller panelist, he claimed the party was very generous to the other races. The party had given "memberi" the other races freedom to practice their religion, to receive their mother tongue education, to earn a living etc.
I support Kuli in his call to reform UMNO but I am disappointed with his old mindset. UMNO as a political party has been entrusted to rule this country for the last 52 years. Like any other political parties, it is responsible to govern fairly, efficiently and transparently. Our rights and freedom were NOT given by UMNO but are guaranteed under the federal constitution. This is the highest law of this land. Like other Malaysians, I am not indebted to the party. UMNO leaders should be indebted to all Malaysians for trusting them with the power to rule this country for more than five decades.
The earlier Tengku understands this fact the better he will be able to speak for us. This is a fact which has not been fully accepted by UMNO. Until and unless this party starts to accept the minorities as equals it will be difficult to see how the BN coalition can do well in the next general election. UMNO is not capable to rule by itself. This is a hard lesson it should have learned from the last general election. The BN which claimed to represent multiracial Malaysia has lost its lustre and its diversity.
It looks like the reform we are seeking is not forthcoming. Najib said he will not embrace radical reforms to the country's race-based economic system that critics charge has stunted development and fostered corruption. He said that Malaysia could embrace some reforms such as liberalising the services sector but was not able to dismantle policies favouring ethnic Malays.
The lack of political will to change an archaic policy which has obviously outlived its relevance showed that the NEP is no longer simply a poverty eradication and wealth redistribution mechanism. It is highly politicized and linked to the party's race supremacy agenda. The policy had contributed to uplift a large segment of the Malay community out of poverty but its implementation was twisted beyond its original intention during the Mahathir regime. Instead of focusing on the poor, the policy's focus had shifted to equity ownership of the community. The fact that wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few is no longer an issue as long as these cronies continue to obtain handouts.
This is not going to be the only disappointment for multiracial Malaysia. The party has gone back on its words to lift the ban on "Allah" being used by Malay publications on Christianity. UMNO's divisive policy continues into the realm of religion and language. The party has often reminded Malaysians to be sensitive towards Islam but is not able to practice what it preached. The fear of conversions among Muslims to Christianity if the word "Allah" is allowed in Christian publications showed how little faith the party has on Muslims in Malaysia.
How can UMNO help to make the Malay community more confident of its own capability and identity if it is behaving this way? The paradoxes of UMNO are mind boggling. Apart from its insecurity, the party has used huge amount of resources to create and run programmes to project the greatness and paramount of Islamic civilisation and creed.
It is precisely the fact that Islam is a great religion that the party should be confident enough to allow the use of "Allah" in Christian publications. The party's reaction to the use of the word "Allah" reflected very little of its commitment as a defender of Islam but exposes its lack of faith as believers. UMNO should look at how Muslims who are confident of their faith are able to co-exist and prosper in any systems even in Western democracies.
Not enough toying with both race and religion, the party is now trying to manipulate the monarchy in Malaysia for their own political leverage, if there is any. However, the monarchy must be a willing party in order to be taken advantage by a political entity. It is rare for the monarchy to take side although some members of the royal families had entered or are still in politics. Tengku Razaleigh is one of the more popular members.
They have turned the Perak power grab as an attempt to challenge the position of monarch in the country. Between defending the constitution and the monarchy, UMNO's preference and commitment is clear. This party has no qualm to ignore the rights of minorities, indigenous people, freedom of expression et cetera but it is now taking action on those who had criticized the Sultan of Perak's decision to sack the elected state leader and questioned his constitutional right to do so. Ironically, UMNO has turned a blind eye on its members who had insulted the other races. Its coup leader, Zambry, has turned into a monarch by accusing his political opponent, Nizar, of treason (Derhaka) for putting a plague to commemorate the "tree-assembly". I have a problem with Nizar not for his treachery but for reminding us of the dark hour of Malaysian democracy.
UMNO should not be over confident of its own immortality. It can be defeated regardless of the resources it has. The party must make correct choices; between democracy and autocracy, between rule of law and rule by law, between right and wrong, between rationality and arrogance, between racism and humanity, between isolation and co-existence and between Malaysia and self-interest.
Ultimately, UMNO must be ready to halt the election process. Otherwise, it must choose between winning and losing as a political party.
13 comments:
There are 2 schools of thought.
One is that UMNO must be destroyed at all cost because of the present state they are in and beyond salvation.
The other is to give space and help moderates rise within their power structure so that reform can finally take place.
Ku Li? I don't know what to make of this one. He's saying mostly sensible things now but once in a while he exhibits the old mindset, not to mention his past association.
Guess its the same argument some may have of DSAI as well.
Poor choices really but given the severity of the situation, I'll cautiously give them both a chance, just ONE!
So, would you tell Gerakan to quit BN? And why did you join a party that played to Umno's racist tune in the first place?
Ppl like you are just humbugs. I bet if the economy was doing well and BN was strong like in the 1990s, you would not have criticised Umno like this. Everyone in the coalition benefited. Many Gerakan leaders also had contracts and business deals.
Now the economy is in a bad shape and BN lost big, you complain. ha ha, how rich.
KP
Seriously, the more efforts by UMNO to undermine the focus and belief of the electorates, the worse it will be for BN.
anon 10.39am,
You must be a closet gerakan member. Provocative for no reason. I bet you did not even read the news. Gerakan took an injunction to stop my book on non-sectarian politics: the case study of gerakan. tsu koon is probably the last person who wants to see me alive in the party.
for your information, i have been criticising UMNO since 2001 through my articles in malaysiakini.com
where were you? stop sounding stupid here.
Hi everyone,
BN and UMNO should be grateful and thankful to the people for allowing them to run the country for some 52 years already. You can continue to run the country and have the confidence of the people in doing so if you listen to the voices of the people thru' 308 election! Are you prepared to change? Are you able to change? People no longer tolerate leakages, mismanagements, cronyism and corruption!
No political party should ask the people to be grateful and thankful to them even though the party may claim to have run the country or state well! Such calls, particularly by UMNO leaders, show how ungrateful they are of the mandate given by the people - a mandate to serve the people and not the other way round.
Wrong title, it should really read - UMNO is NO role model. Of course, those of us who are pilitically aware, and bother to find out for ourselves knows this already.
donplayplay
Romerz,
You know Operation Valkyure is a very good show. It's based on a true story of how a group of Germans trying to topple Hitler by blowing him up and subsequently using the reserve army to topple the SS & Hitler's leadership. Their reason is they don't want Germany to be known as Hitler Germany. These are Germans who believe in humanity, freedom & justice.
I love the Germans. Perhaps, it's their christian beliefs propelled them into taking actions. Constantly seeking for forgiveness for the acts that they have done during World War 2 & Very active in promoting humanity to the world. It's embedded in their constituition, racism & Nazism are outlawed. Any show of racism towards even the turkish people is outlaw. Unfortunately, such acts are absent in UMNO. Once upon a time, most Germans too have been shouting Ketuanan Aryan. Yet there are some germans who are willing to take risks in commitment towards Sacred Germany.
Such acts are absent in UMNO and BN component parties particularly Gerakan. Gerakan is as good as dead. Hence, it would be crazy to gun down DAP in the next GE just because of few perceived incompetencies. Political risks are too great. Gerakan can't defend itself from UMNO in Penang. People, don't even think of asking Gerakan to come back to run the government. Frankly, they should not allow to run in the first place especially when you bring in UMNO
Like Nazi, UMNO must be destroyed, annihilated, expunged and exterminated for good.
Romerz,
Just got a news that there would be an emergency motion how the federal government use whatever means to sabotage the state government
People,
Frankly, no need to have middle ground people because the present federal government are doing a terrific jobs in monitoring & sabotaging governments apart from BN. Sultan Bolkiah didn't dare to step in. LKY & his team kenna booted. The gangsterism of UMNO has been shown when the Police Rider (UMNO intoxicated) accompanying LKY's ride to City Hall the very first day. UMNO bullying tactics are known from day one. It's just that Tunku are kinder, Razak died young, Hussein Onn weaker & by the time, it comes to Mahathir. Too late, those states kenna booted especially Singapore becomes so strong that Malaysia wouldn't dare to touch it. Rajaratnam, hailed from Seremban ever said that
Never stir up the hornet nests. You will get bee stings.
In fact, Malaysia would be better if UMNO was not in power in the first place.
Regards,
looes74
it is time for UMNO to go together with their legacy. let the new bunch of politicians to rules. that is the end of it. i personally thanks kkp for sharing his glimps and thought. no tolerance for wrong doers.
cheers!
UMNO is only guilty of two things,allowing chinese citizenship in this Tanah Melayu and allowing social and economic destruction of the country by these immigrants
We all agree that it was not UMNO alone that ruled since 1957, but a coalition of UMNO and non-Malay based parties?
If yes, do not fault UMNO only.
The better question to ask is, what on earth were those non-Malay parties doing in the coalition to ensure there was fairpay in governance - all these years?
And if those who led these parties then and now cannot answer honestly - then lets agree that UMNO alone is not to be blamed.
It may be true that these non-UMNO leaders had actually compromised their positions to remain in power from day one till today for this current state of affairs.
If only they had been assertive from the beginning - especially in ensuring that policies that were firm but fair to all, were also actually implemented across the board the same way, we would not have any such situation like today, nor the dissent amongst the rakyat.
Take MIC.
Two well known leaders, a secretary general in the 60s was found dead away from a brothel.
And another - deputy senate head was embroiled in a scenario like the current MCA deputy president's position.
The MAIKA shareholder funds situation does not see any promising outcome. And the people who were entrusted to manage the funds and who failed misearbly still are not hauled to the right forums for justice to be meted out.
What was the compromise?
You leave me and my team alone and instead you can take away some of my community's rightful entitlement?
About MCA.
Why was Tan Koon Suan, president one tim, not even a minister in the BN cabinet? And what happended to him later.
Or what was the real reason, Lee San Choon resiged midway?
And what was the Multipurpose Holdings issue about? How did the UMNO dominated 'ketuanan Melayu' flavoured government react? No help given?
And when PPP voiced out from those years that it was not being treated fairly, did any of the non-UMNO parties come to its help? No, because it would mean having to share their 'entitlements' that was decided or forced onto them by the dominating UMNO.
Only now these fellows are talking about Ketuanan Melayu as not being good, more equal ethnic representation in the civil service etc.
Real fools indeed these fellows have been.
Even issues like vernacular schools:
What was the compromise?
That no more NEW schools will be allowed? Any statistics on how many such new schools were allowed after 1957?
Samy Velu will continue to claim that when an old building of an existing school is torn down and replaced with a new building - it is a NEW vernacular school. He thinks Malaysians Indians are so gullible and will believe him!
There was even one Chinese school from Perak that was relocated to Puchong/Selangor recently. But thats not a NEW (additional) school.
So, what was the agreement the non-UMNO BN parties agreed with UMNO?
Do they dare to tell the communities they represent?
Well....If only they had been assertive to ensure there should be no restriction on such matters?
Oh by the way, even non-Malay businessmen do not mind selling out their community if it means survival of their business.
The recent change of government in the Silver state - any link with the number of special draws allowed for a gaming company?
I could not help hearing people whom I do not know talking that the deal was like this - you take care of getting potential candidates to switch sides with your efforts and resources and in return you get approvals for specal draws to recover your initial expenses to get this job done.
History has shown that from the days of Malacca sultanate, the Malays have accommodated counsel from Indians, Chinese, Arabs and any one else who came to Tanah Melayu.
So much so, they accepted many of these folks and their subsequent generations as their own. There was so much peaceful co-existence then.
Do Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Munshi Abdullah and the likes ring a bell?
Even in the second half of 20th century, the Tamil speaking Indian Muslims of Penang were accepted as Bumiputras and allowed to speak in Tamil and go to Tamil schools in Penang.
Ah..those days these folks will still speak Tamil or any other mother tounge from the Indian sub-continent and see MGR, Sivaji movies , eat out of Banana leaves, flavour their dishes with curry leaves and spices and do many things that were non-Malay.
but UMNO magnanimoulsy closed its eye on such things.
And who are Sharizat, Minister of Finance II, Zainuddin Mydin, Zambry and the likes of them?
Please note - The Malays have been accommodating all these well, but as time went on, the non-UMNO party leaders failed to assert themselves and lead very disciplined 'righteous role model' way of public life.
UMNO had to rescue these rascals and close one eye on many of their lapses.
Fine teamwork indeed, but it came with a deadly price.
A gradual growth of 'ketuanan' behaviour! After all, these rascals had their weaknesses. So why should UMNO give-in to such lapses of these fellows.
End result - these fellows have no choice but to let UMNO grow stronger and now get just the crumbs (if thats what you call it) as they were not worthy to be an equal with UMNO - which always had to do the clean up or cover up act for these fellows!
In short, these non-UMNO parties not only sold out their communities in many aspects and at the same time allowed UMNO to grow stonger by capitalising on their weaknesses.
And are they many instances where these non-UMNO fellows openly championed for the deserving Malays as well?
Sorry to say - not much that we read or heard of. I have yet to come across public statements from these guys championing for the rights of Malays and bumiputras.
Why? Because they still feature themselves only as leaders of the non-Malays in their thoughts, actions etc in public.
Compare that to UMNO government statesmen. They come out openly to at least say and show concern for non-Malays. Even now!
Another example, at non-political level, on how non-Malays care the least for the sensitivities of Muslims.
Have the operators of betting games ever physically stopped Muslims from patronising their business and engaged the enforcement authorities on this matter? Just putting up a notice that Muslims are not allowed is enough? Can these guys act with more concern on the government requirement and enforce it more assertively and collectively?
They will not. As they have this feeling that their business survival is not solely through non-Muslim patronage.
So - they are actually sinning further by closing an eye on the patronage of those prohibited by law.
A classic case where such business operators are adversely impacting the way of life of the people who are not supposed to indulge in such activities.
And UMNO-led government as well the related enforcement agencies are supposed to close one eye on such situations.
But must quickly nab robbers and gangsters who once in a while, show their act at these outlets?
Dont continue to blame UMNO.
The component parties should take the blame for being weak and not being assertive all these years. Otherwise how do you explain their 'fine' showing in the 2008 elections?
If something had to be done now, its time the 'old' leaders and their gang in such non-UMNO parties in the BN give way to new blood who will stand up for the rights of the communities they represent at all forums - be it Cabinet/exco meetings, BN meetings, at Board levels in GLCs, as appointees in government bodies etc.
Once they redeem their assertiveness, lead fine role model public lives and most important - also champion for the well being of Malays as well (if they need a role model - dig up records on Tan Chee Khoon), BN will be rebranded to be very relevant again.
And the rakyat will have more confidence in the separation of powers of the executive, legistlative and judiciary, if BN then continues to rule.
ANOTHER MALAYSIAN
Since they challenge Ketuanan Melayu so can pack them off
KKP thot by citing his being sidelined in Gerakan could convince us that he was a man of principle. Ha ha, come lah! U should from the very 1st day have known all non-Umno parties in the BN are nothing but clowns and jesters. Since when did they ever challenge Umno? Years of subservience have only made Lim Keng Yeik etc.. political eunuchs! And you thot u could change that?
I salute ppl like Karpal Singh, LKS and other PAS leaders, and all those who have stuck by them through thick and thin. These are the REAL men of principle who, despite their failings in many aspects, continue to have the respect and trust from the rakyat. For those reformist-wannabe like KKP, please wise up. Your future is not within the BN. You should have known that and saved yourself the humiliation by Koh Tsu Koon (another eunuch par excellence).
Psst... kkp is no comparison, he's nothing
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