Blame yourself, Pakatan Rakyat

1. I took some time off to ponder the recent election results of Hulu Selangor. Congratulations to P Kamalanathan for being elected as the people's representative there.


2. PKR's loss can only be blamed on two matters. First of all, the choice of candidate ain't good. Secondly, PAS must be blamed too.
   


3. PKR's style of using recycled BN rejects will not work anymore. Grassroots of PKR, who fought tooth and nail for Anwar during the reformasi days, do want to see themselves on stage instead of being butlers for superstar rejects from Barisan Nasional that are cherished in PKR.
   


4. Using a Kota Bahru man surely didn't help and that was one of the reasons why P Kamalanathan's issue of being a non local (from Rawang) wasn't played up heatedly by Pakatan Rakyat.
   




5. After all, P Kamalanathan is a Selangor man as opposed to the man from Kelantan. The newly elected YB will know the State issues and the locals better than Zaid.


6. Moreover, placing Zaid as the candidate left PKR with no issues to play except recycling national issues, spearheaded by Anwar Ibrahim's rhetoric.


7. DAP would have handled it in a better manner though if it was a DAP State Government.


8. The brainiacs in DAP will know that in such a situation with two imported candidates (non local), only candies and carrots will win the election which Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim failed to do so convincingly.
   



9. Thumbs down to PKR. But the matter does not end there. PAS, I feel, tried to stay away from the controversial Zaid Ibrahim.


10. Zaid said his drinking days were his past and he is over it now, thus in other words, he admitted his religious error and seeked forgiveness.


11. But PAS cannot be seen as endorsing his actions or else the conservatives in PAS will slam the leadership.


12. After all, such a move will mean that one can go against the religion, admit the fault and seek forgiveness and things will be forgotten which I doubt the Syariah laws operate in such a way.




13. Moreover, Selangor PAS made a controversial statement during the campaign that they will commit 20% of their staff only.
    


14. God knows what that meant and how committed they are when big guns from other component parties came from across the nation.


15. P Kamalanathan whom I previously described as "Humble, informative, visionary and a simple man whose smile captures the hearts of many", stands to serve the constituents better than a former BN Minister who joined PKR and became a "senior leader" without rising through the ranks of thousands of PKR grassroot members.


16. So, Pakatan Rakyat can only blame themselves and well done to Barisan Nasional.

Vote for P Kamalanathan

Let me first list down the accusations made against P Kamalanathan (BN) chronologically.

1. P Kamalanathan kissed Tan Sri Muhyiddin's hands so he kowtows to UMNO
   


2. P Kamalanathan has a fake degree
   


3. P Kamalanathan is a phantom voter in Sg Siput
   

These are all lies, to be honest.

He has always been fair with his words about the relationship of component parties in Barisan Nasional.

In fact, he dares to stand up and state his stand to UMNO leaders, MIC leaders as well as MCA leaders on various political issues.

If P Kamalanathan's hand-kissing act is regarded as kowtow-ing to UMNO, then what about

• UMNO leaders in Chinese-style shirts,
  
• their desire to learn Mandarin and Tamil to serve the people better,
  
• or the writing of "unity" in Chinese at a recent Hua Zhong event ?

Does that mean kowtow-ing to the Chinese, Indians or MCA ?

It is purely culture and we respect the culture of other races. This is what we call 1Malaysia and P Kamalanathan has done just that.

God knows what Pakatan Rakyat supporters and leaders will say if P Kamalanathan wears a baju Melayu one day.

I don't know what sort of Middle Malaysia or Malaysian Malaysia which the Pakatan Rakyat fellows are preaching.

Strange Pakatan Rakyat bedfellows who cannot even understand the respect of cultures and how 1Malaysia attempts to blur the racial lines to assimilate and integrate races in Malaysia.

And yet, Pakatan Rakyat constantly ask us to vote them in to govern Malaysia.

As for the fake degree, P Kamalanathan won't go around claiming he has a degree if he doesn't have one. Hey, if he wants to lie, he might as well choose a top ranked university and lie, right or not ?

After all, the repercussions and adverse effects politically from lying about education qualification is clear cut.

To clear things up, P Kamalanathan published a scanned copy of his degree online as promised to counter such baseless allegations.

Read : Kamalanathan shows proof he's a Bachelor and Olympia confirms Kamalanathan's degree

For preposterous talks regarding P Kamalanathan as a phantom voter, I refer you to BDDC. His arguments are based on good researches carried out on this matter.

Put all things aside, this is a battle between Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and P Kamalanathan. A former Barisan Nasional man against the Barisan Nasional's MIC Information Chief.

If you ask me to describe P Kamalanathan, I will say the same thing I tell everyone. Humble, informative, visionary and a simple man whose smile captures the hearts of many.

Vote P Kamalanathan, for Hulu Selangor and the country !

Hari Keputeraan Sultan Perak ke 82

Ampun Tuanku, Sultan Perak. Patik sembah tahniah Ke Bawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Azlan Shah sempena Hari Keputeraan Tuanku yang ke-82.

Semoga Tuanku dilanjutkan usia dan Perak terus maju di bawah pemerintahan Tuanku.


Sempena dengan Hari Keputeraan Tuanku, seorang pendidik yang dihormati dan disanjungi ramai anak Perak iaitu Brother Vincent Corkery, diberi pengiktirafan dengan anugerah gelaran Datuk (D.P.M.P)

(Congratulations and the best of health to you, Brother Vincent Corkery ! )

Ampun Tuanku. APOMM sembah tahniah Ke Bawah DYMM Tuanku. Kebijaksanaan, keadilan dan kedaulatan Tuanku Sultan Perak kekal di mata anak-anak Perak.

A La Salle Brother's plight

1. I came across an article written by Zorro Unmasked on April 1st, 2010. In that article, Zorro Unmasked mentioned about Brother Vincent Corkery and his citizenship application.


2. And on 14 April 2010, I read Ipoh Echo online and saw THIS article. The title caught my eye and attention - Plight of a Forgotten La Salle Brother


3. After posting this article online, Madam Tan Cheng Liang was kind enough to provide me pointers on how to proceed further.


4. I went to school immediately this afternoon to see Brother Vincent Corkery at La Salle Centre, St Michael's Institution.


5. It is indeed interesting that Brother Vincent remembered my contributions to the school's best ever debating achievement back in 2002 and 2003.


6. My fellow friends and I became the National Runners up for Parliamentary English Debates organized by the Ministry of Education in 2002, which involved all the schools in Malaysia, as well as winning the coveted Kinta Rotary Club Challenge Trophy in 2003.


7. I talked to Brother Vincent about the "plight" and volunteered to help him personally since I have the time.


8. Brother Vincent Corkery shared his opinions with me that he is happy to keep his European citizenship while enjoying the benefits of a Malaysian PR which is as good as citizenship.


9. He needed a citizenship in the past in his role as an educationist and as head of school to serve the students and school better, which is no longer necessary now.


10. I hope no socio political blogger or newspaper columnist will politicize this matter further.


11. Though I must say, the State Government should consider a provision of gratuity in monetary form besides providing him with any further assistance he needs.


12. He has done a lot for sons of Perak and deserves to be rewarded or given due recognition.


13. Whispers in the school were loud and I have news that Brother Vincent Corkery, a La Salle Brother and well respected educationist in Perak, will receive a royal award (I know the title which will be conferred) from the Palace on Monday (19 April 2010) at Kuala Kangsar, Perak.


14. Tuanku has proven from time to time that the Palace will give recognition where it is due.


15. Anak Perak berdoa, semoga usia Tuanku dilanjutkan dan Perak kekal cemerlang di bawah pemerintahan Tuanku Sultan Perak.


16. Daulat Tuanku Sultan Perak ! I am proud to be a Perakian.

Dr Pornthip's safety guaranteed

1. It is good to read that the Attorney General Chambers under Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammudin Hussein guarantee the safety of Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand to Malaysia.


2. Dr Porntship's safety is guaranteed if she returns to Malaysia to testify and justify her "80% homicide" statement she made on October 21st, 2009. Good move to guarantee her safety I must say to the Government !
   


3. The ruling coalition is at the losing end in terms of image and perspective in this case. Logically speaking, the Government desperately need Dr Pornthip to return to prove her claims, theory and report in Court.
   


4. Do take note that there cannot be a blanket guarantee for Dr Pornthip's safety rationally. Just like no one can guarantee a tourist's safety when he or she is traveling overseas.


5. Hey, you never know what will happen right ? And that is why there are insurances out there ! So I really hope that the Home Minister and the AG know what they are doing.


6. However, I must caution the Federal Government that Dr Pornthip is a forensic expert appointed by the Selangor Government.


7. The Selangor Government should also play a role in ensuring the safety of Dr Pornthip.


8. Dr Pornthip must be given full security details fit for a Royalty with Gobind Singh Deo or a member of Teoh's family at her side for 24 hours as watch and witness.





9. This is vital to avoid any spin doctors from working their magic in pushing the blame to either side of the political divide in case of any unfortunate events.


10. Whatever the decision is, please give us a conclusion for the Teoh Beng Hock inquiry.


11. It has been ongoing for far too long. We are talking about a dead person here and his family members deserve to know. May the truth prevail.


12. My predictions ? With Pornthip's views being different from that of Dr Shahidan Md Noor, the piece that could solve the puzzle is in the hands of Dr Peter Vanezis from Britain.

BN must name G Palanivel

1. MIC's candidate will be known on April 15 while PKR will announce their candidate on April 13


2. It is brilliant of the PM to stop matters from getting worse as UMNO and MIC leaders in Selangor battled for the right to be the candidate when the PM announced that the seat is reserved for MIC.


3. The PM stopped short of endorsing MIC's choice of candidate for Hulu Selangor's by election.





4. MIC has openly supported Datuk G Palanivel who is a familiar face in Hulu Selangor and 4 term MP of that constituency.


5. Several bloggers have pushed for P Kamala Nathan, MIC's Information Chief, to be the candidate for MIC.


6. I had once met up and shared ideas with him a few months ago personally and I have no objections to him being a Barisan Nasional candidate for any election at any seat.


7. MIC is in need of leaders who can reach out and communicate with the people easily and he is indeed a suitable candidate some day to be the MIC President.


8. But for this Hulu Selangor seat, I hope the Barisan Nasional leadership do not interfere with MIC's preferred choice in Datuk G Palanivel.
   


9. Let the Party decide as I believe the Party has their own plans - succession plan and strategic transformation.


10. Datuk G Palanivel is tailored to be the next MIC President. If the Hulu Selangor candidacy is given to someone else, MIC will be in a dilemma.





11. They could face a problem of either a "just one term MP" (if the chosen one gives way to Datuk G Palanivel in the 13th GE) or they could have a "non MP President" for quite some time.


12. This will definitely disrupt MIC's succession plans and open the flood gates for a Party crisis.
    


13. You can't really expect a 4 term winner at Hulu Selangor to be a fresh face at another town and win comfortable, right ?


14. Let Datuk G Palanivel have a chance again in Hulu Selangor, although he lost in the 12th General Election to the late Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad from PKR.


15. The results, win or lose, will be able to help dictate Barisan Nasional's plans in Selangor in future as well as provide a clearer path for MIC leadership succession plan.


16. BN must name G Palanivel on April 15.

MCA Office Holders Analysis

Official List of MCA Party Office Holders

1. MCA Central Committee Members, Presidential Council members and MCA State Chiefs - Full list


2. MCA National Bureau Chairman and Deputy Chairman - Full list
   

Interesting observations

1. Chua Tee Yong has been appointed as Presidential Council member. Under the Greater Unity Plan of Ong Tee Keat - Chua Soi Lek, Chua Tee Yong was appointed by the former President as Central Committee member.


2. According to news report, Chew Mei Fun has resigned from her posts - Wanita MCA Chief, Wanita MCA Selangor Chairman, Party’s Crisis Relief Squad Chief, Senator and Deputy Minister. Not in the list is her position as Presidential Council Member (but I assume she lets it go too)


3. When Tee Keat was President, he appointed many who weren't his staunch supporters to core Party positions. He was criticized by his detractors. When the Party was embroiled in a crisis, Tee Keat's move of appointing loyalists were slammed too.
   




4. Jalan kiri kena marah, jalan kanan pun kena marah. Now, is Soi Lek's "Cabinet" better than Tee Keat's ? That we have to ask the Central Delegates, Liow Tiong Lai, Wee Ka Siong and Chew Mei Fun.
   


5. Out of MCA's 24 Bureau, how many are actually active, functioning and hands on ?


6. Datuk Lee Chee Leong is the Deputy Foreign Minister. Why is he 2nd to Datuk Chor Chee Heung, Deputy Finance Minister, in the International Affairs Bureau ? What is the logic ?


7. Datuk Chor Chee Heung holds two positions in the Bureau list - Chairman of International Affairs Bureau and Deputy Chairman of Economic Bureau.


8. Dr Fong Chan Onn is also holding two positions - Chairman of Economic Bureau and Chairman of INSAP. The others, if my eyes are right, hold single positions only.
   


9. Chua Tee Yong is the Young Professionals Bureau Chief. Together with MCA Youth Chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, I await to see how MCA will attract talented members and leaders.


10. I once proposed to MCA Infocom and received ridiculous replies. Since the "crisis" is over, I await to see if Senator Heng Seai Kie will perform in her Bureau.
    


11. Tee Keat's projects when he was President include the Direct Presidential elections and the Party NKRA. Will these materialize under the new leadership ? Or will it be status quo also, Dr Chua ?
    



12. Now that Chew Mei Fun has honored her word and upheld her principles, which shocked me by the way, an article highlighted by my fellow friend - justice4otk - will probably see another resignation take place.
    


13. In an interview with The Sun and when answering a question on Soi Lek, Liow said "If I’m supposed to work with him and he becomes president (laughs) I better resign."
    

MCA Party Positions

The new MCA President, Dr Chua Soi Lek, must decide who among the Party leaders should be

• Ministers (4),
  
• Deputy Ministers (7)
• Senators (10)
• MCA State Chiefs (12)
• Secretary General
• Treasurer General
• National Organizing Secretary
  
• appointed Central Committee members (8)
• MCA bureau Chiefs (25)
  

There are 2 units which could face a revamp or reshuffle - INSAP and MCA Information and Communications Bureau.

The main thrusts of Soi Lek's team are to unite and rejuvenate the Party. To do so, he must appease all 3 factions - his own supporters, Tee Keat and Ka Ting's team as well.


To me, MCA's election results has all along been necessary to be used as a convenient excuse for a Cabinet reshuffle since the rumor of a reshuffle came around late last year.

Any other excuses will not be strong enough and will invite the criticisms from the Opposition.

Dropping Tee Keat as a Minister could work against the Prime Minister and Soi Lek's efforts for a stronger Party, coalition and Government.

People will go around town saying that Tee Keat's removal as Transport Minister is linked to the PKFZ independent audit report.

Perhaps may I suggest to Soi Lek and the Prime Minister, if seniority and results of MCA Election matters, that Tee Keat should be given the portfolio of Housing & Local Government Minister ?

I believe Tee Keat's performance thus far as a Minister has been good and good Ministers should not be dropped.



A recent poll by Merdeka Centre also showed that Tee Keat has the support of Malaysians and the Chinese community.

Tee Keat's team is the minority now in MCA. This showed that the MCA delegates have voted against the results of the independent poll.

I challenge MCA's new Central Committee 2010-2011 to propose a new independent poll to measure the acceptance of the Party's new leadership by 3 categories of the population - the youths, the Malaysian Chinese community and all Malaysians.

This will provide the 1 million members in the Party a clear feedback on where the leadership stands.