Friday, February 27, 2009

PAS moral crossroad

PAS is standing on a Pakatan Rakyat's crossroad on the issue of morality and whatever stand it makes regarding the Elizabeth Wong issue it will influence it's level of relationship with her comrades in PR, namely PKR and DAP. It's decision will also be followed closely with much interest by it's long time nemesis Umno.



If PAS takes the high moral ground stance on Elizabeth Wong's scandal, it will most probably moving towards a collision course with PKR and DAP but will gain brownie points in the eyes of its Malay-Muslims supporters. It will also elevates its credential as a religious based party compared to Umno which has been trying for years to challenge PAS for the Muslim leadership in the country.



That will be the consideration for PAS whether to push for Elizabeth's departure from the Selangor state exco lineup. Political considerations survival will take precedence over any other reasons. That's the reality for every political party. PAS will not sacrifice the party's interest for sake of only one single woman politician from PKR. For them, Elizabeth is dispensable and of no interest to them.



If PAS backs PKR leadership to retain Elizabeth as state exco, the decision will for sure be use to the hilt by it's political oppponents especially Umno to attack its Islamic credentials. Even though those in Umno are no angels themselves, the power of media spinning will be a force to be reckoned with that no one in PAS wants to dabble into. The Umno controlled media will go to towns and kampungs to play up this issue. PAS would not want to risk its influence in the Malay heartland for the sake of just one outsider.



On the other hand, it will be good news to Chua Soi Lek if Elizabeth is retained as Exco. There is no connection between both of them and I think neither of them knows each other but a political decision will affects other too.



As I mentioned previously, even if MCA agreed for Chua Soi Lek to be appointed a Senator and then a Minister, Umno may not be agreeable to that due to the concern it might brings disrepute to it's Malay-Muslims based and ridicule to PAS for endorsing adultery.



Once PAS accepts Elizabeth warts and all, Umno will be in an easier position to accept Chua Soi Lek or whoever tainted with sex scandal into the cabinet. It seems that of all people, the person to benefit most from the Elizabeth Wong's nude photo scandal is not someone from Umno or PKR but MCA's Chua. But of course assuming Soi Lek is not sacked or have his membership suspended from MCA before the next cabinet's re-shuffle by Najib due to his sexual DVD re-vival than brought shame to the party.



One woman's fall is another man's glory. - Loka

Monday, February 23, 2009

Game for politicians

Who has the most sustainable stamina to endure the pressure in performing their task? Can it be a marathon runner, a long distance swimmer or a politician?


No prize for guessing who's the runaway winner. It's the politician of course!


If there is an open field medal for the most sustainable stamina in the Olympics, the most likely winner will be a politician!


While the marathon runner and the swimmer will be following a set of universal rules and able to gauge and expect the challenges in their struggle for success and glory, it can't be said the same about politicians.


The playing field for the game called politics can be anywhere and anytime. There is no specific time limit and rounds of play. The rule of the game changes without any consideration of the opponents objections or claims of foul play. They won't be bother about fair play since for sure there won't be a Fair Play Trophy in this game.


The rules are very pretty "simple".


To win the game, a politician need to outwit their opponents and supporter and do everything by the book and also those not in the book. Trust is an vulgar word for some of the players. Sometimes one can't even trust your own team mates. If caught off-guard, a politician can be stabbed on the back by one of their own. They must be prepared to be politically stripped naked and be publicly shamed. They will also strive they do it on others too.


A politician must be able to sustain all types of verbal and non-verbal abuse and does it against his or her opponents without any feeling of remorse or shame. They must be able to make use and be used by others. They must win at all cost. By hook or by crook. And they will keep on doing it on and on as long as there is sunrise and sunsets.


It is part of the "skills" in their game. If anyone doesn't know how and don't want to utilize these "skills", it's time for them to throw in the towel and kiss the game goodbye.


For the spectators of these games, just like any other games, once the game takes too long to decide an outright winner of the game, it will be too tired for the spectators to watch on. Or if too much tricks and cheating that broke all levels of decency has been used by the players to win the game, the spectators will just walk off and cursed the players for wasting their precious time and money watching the game.


Anyway, at the end of the day the players will still be at the arena fighting with each other because they had the most durable stamina to sustain the challenges of the game, even without any spectator bother to watch them whacking and striping each other naked.


By the way, moral shame and moral fear is not part of the ground rules. - Loka

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Silence integrity

When one mentions integrity, it is often related to the financial aspect of it -- for example leading to actions such as corruption and bribery. And when integrity is linked to political activities, one cannot refrain from thoughts of money politics.


IWG would like to highlight other aspects of integrity. At our launch we mentioned the two dimensions of integrity that we will focus on viz. integrity in action and integrity in stature. While the first focuses on what a person or organisation does, the latter zeros in to what he or it represents or stands for. They are portrayals for the outside world , or the faces that others look at the person or organization. These are the aspects of MCA that IWG watches and focuses on.


....IWG thus calls upon the party to place greater importance on Responsibility To Prevent rather than to be involved in posterior tussles of defence. It is often said that giving reasons and excuse are signs of inferior qualities.


- Dr Daphne Loke, Chairman, MCA Integrity Watch Group, Jan 17, 2009


The statement above was extracted from the MCA Integrity Watch Group website.


The group was form on Dec 15, 2008 to check on the integrity level of MCA's leaders and members in the party. Since then this group has been issuing statements on matters related to some issues that can be related to the party leaders in their website or media here and here. As this comment was written, a check on their website shows the last message posted was a Chinese New Year greetings on Jan 21, 2009.


All has been silence since then. There was not a single comment on the integrity and morality related to the Perak state government debacle or the proposed low cost airport in Labu, Negri Sembilan.


Has the group been told to toe the line? Or they had wisely realised their expectation for a level of integrity had exceeded far more than MCA leaders can chew? So they decided to be silent without giving any reasons and excuse which are considered signs of inferior qualities.


If one knows some practices are unhealthy but elected to keep quiet about it, isn't one's integrity is at stake too especially if one is a watchdog on integrity? - Loka

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

What's in a divine name

I received a sms last night from a former MP suggesting to me to watch the 9.30pm live discussion forum "Isu" on TV 1. The topic was "Wajarkah nama Allah digunakan semua agama?" ( Is it proper for all religions to use the Allah name?)

The panelists includes a Muslim activist who was formerly a Christian preacher now based in Sarawak, a Chinese convert who is vice president of Malaysian Chinese Muslims Association and a lecturer from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The talk show was moderated by Sayed Munawar, a regular hand in TV 1's live forum.

The topic of the show was clearly conceived to address the controversy arising from the insistence of the Herald - the Catholic Weekly for their right to use the term "Allah" to describe their religion's God in their Malay version publication.


The right to use the term "Allah" has been brought to court by the publisher of the "Herald - The Catholic Weekly". The government via the Home Ministry has disallowed the Herald from using the word "Allah" in its publication. The government said the usage of the term by the publication will arouse sensitivity and create confusion amongst the Muslims in the country.


After watching the whole program I thought it will be more apt for the topic be changed. Firstly, the panelists are representing only one religion i.e Islam. Secondly all arguments emphasised the term "Allah" can only be use by Muslims. Thirdly, those pre-recorded and pre-arranged telephone call-in views are from Islamic scholars.

What will be the perspective of the Catholic church or the Sikh Gurdwara as recorded in their holy books? That's the missing link on the program. Even though at least two of the Islamic speakers tries to explain the reason why the Christian God is not "Allah", wouldn't it be more convincing for the viewers, especially for people other than the Islam or Christian faith if a bishop or priest are invited for their point of view?


As a viewer who is neither Muslim, Christianity or even Sikh, I would be more appreciative of the TV forum if the panellists invited to the program includes representatives from other stakeholders who are claiming the right of usage of the term. A pre-arranged telephone caller from a Islamic organisation had suggested a scholarly discussion amongst the various religions with an interest on the issue which I think will be more enlightening for everybody.


Sometimes if information are coming only from one side, people will be more curious to enquire what the others are saying. - Loka

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Non-Muslims officers sacked

The Star reported today on the sacking of officers in the "Unit Hal-Ehwal Bukan Islam Negeri Perak' ( Non-Muslims Affairs Unit) by the Umno-led Perak state government. This news was also verified with a reliable source this morning. It seems the termination letter dated Feb 12, 2009 informed the four staff of their termination effective Feb 6, 2009.


What is shocking is that the affected staff just reported for work at the Unit only in early Jan 2009. That's slightly more than one month on the job! Is that part of a political witch hunt since these officers were appointed by the PR government and the Umno government may not want any part of that. It must be an octane high job hazard if you are employed by the Perak state government. You can be sacked anytime without any reasons thereof, or maybe one - your appointment was endorsed by political rivals! Just curious who else was or will be sacked by the state government since Zambry's assumption of the MB post? The true colours will be sharper soon.


The Unit for non-Muslims Affairs in Perak established by the Pakatan Rakyat state government was one of it's kind in Malaysia which employs full-time paid staff to handle issues related to non-Muslims like the construction of places of worship for non-Muslims. The Unit was based at a state government office outside the State Secretariat in Ipoh. The staff has been reporting for work until last Friday.


Even states with large non-Muslims citizens like in Penang, Selangor and Johore do not have similar set up. Although states like Selangor and Penang have some sort non-Muslims affairs committee, it is just a special committee which do not have similar authority and financial support like the one in Perak.


Earlier report on Umno-led Perak state government retaining the non-Muslims Affairs Committee in charge by MCA's Exco Dr Mah Hang Soon confirmed suspicion that this arrangement may just to placate the increasing concerns of the non-Muslims on the unbalanced exco line-up in Perak.


The next question is whether the Unit will be disbanded totally or new officers will be appointed by the Umno-led government? If the Unit is disbanded, will that send a message to the people that MCA's Dr Mah Hang Soon role in the state government is just to fill his party's political quota. Nothing else. Period.


If that's the scenario, the recent appointments of Gerakan's deputy president Chang Ko Youn and MIC's vice president S Veerasingam as the Menteri Besar's Adviser for Chinese Affairs and Indian Affairs respectively can be assumed just to fulfill Gerakan's and MIC's quota.


If new officers (maybe deemed friendly to Umno) are appointed to the Unit, will they too be sacked if Umno lose the state government to PR in the next two or three months? Maybe the four sacked staff can bring the Umno government to court? The more the merrier since everybody is either making police reports or bringing their grouses to courts in relation to the political crisis in Perak. - Loka



Sunday February 15, 2009
State stand on sackings, Mah told
IPOH: The Perak Pakatan Rakyat has challenged state executive council member Dr Mah Hang Soon to declare his stand on the sacking of four civil servants from the non-Islamic affairs unit on Feb 6.
“As the chairman holding the portfolio of non-Islamic affairs, Dr Mah should resign in protest over their dismissals.
“Unless it was Dr Mah’s decision to terminate their contracts,” former senior exco member Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham told a press conference yesterday.
Ngeh, who is also state DAP chairman, claimed the four civil servants were relieved of their jobs without reason on Feb 6 after Barisan Nasional took over the state government.
“They should be given back their jobs as they have experience in running the unit,” said Ngeh, adding that politicians would come and go but civil servants should stay on.
He added that the unit was formed when Pakatan Rakyat came into power last year after the general election.
“I also challenge Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir’s advisers, Datuk Chang Ko Youn (Chinese affairs) and Datuk S. Veerasingam (Indian affairs), to show their displeasure by stepping down from their posts over this,” said Ngeh.
On the suit filed against Dr Zambry, he said Pakatan would drop the suit if the latter agreed to seek consent from the Perak Sultan to dissolve the state assembly.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Three good men

Once a while we will come across certain people who impressed us with their traits of wisdom, knowledge, good nature, leadership and exemplary behaviour.


We will be awed and set to believe that the existence of such person will be a boon and blessing to society. We are getting used to judge a person which we do not know personally based on the information we derives from the medias and also comments from our circle of acquaintances.


Once converted we will look at these people in the positive aspect and trusted what they say and what they do, sometimes blindly too. This line of thoughts are sometimes follows the herd mentality. Since so-and-so are saying good things about such and such person, he or she must be a good person. This perception was derives without a clear mind and further inquisition on the back ground of this comments.


Then come one day, people were dismayed and had the shock of their life when such persons that they had utmost confidence and hopes all this while turns out to be no difference from just the ordinary Joes in the street. These people will show their true colours when they felt their positions and interest are challenged.


People can be disappointed and upset but the fault lies with them too. They had given too much trust and expectation to these people. Maybe they should only judge these people after their death as dead men says no words and does nothing. The chances of good dead people disappointing their believers with their actions will ends up 6-feet deep down in the grave or ashes in an urn.


The moral story - judge a person only after his death.


I recalled a story told to me long ago about a woman waiting for a good man to come along to be her wedded husband. She searched and waited for many years and was very sad and disappointed as she found no man up to her expectation. One day a mendicant stopped by her house asking for alms. The woman took the opportunity to ask the mendicant the question.


"Is there no good man around anymore, she asked"?


The mendicant answered, " There are three good men. One is already dead, the other one became a monk and the next one yet to be born". - Loka

Friday, February 13, 2009

Dual referendum

The Election Commission announced today the by-elections for Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat in Perak and Bukit Selambau state seat in Kedah will be held simultaneously on April 7, 2009. Nominations will be held on March 29, 2009.


Even though the Election Commision had earlier dismissed suggestions that the nomination and election dates were fixed to accommodate Umno general assembly on 24 - 28 March, the setting of the polling day is quite close to the end 60 days period allowable for a by-election to be held whenever a seat fell vacant. The commission was informed officially of the seats vacancy on Feb 10.


For the Kuala Terengganu by-election, the seat fell vacant on Nov 28, 2008 when the MP died of heart attack. The commission met on Dec 5 and set nomination on Jan 6, 2009 and polling on Jan 17, 2009. In the Permatang Pauh by-election, when Wan Azizah resigns on July 31, 2008 the commission was duly informed by the parliament speaker on Aug 1 on the seat being vacant. The commission Aug 6 meeting decides on Aug 16 for nomination and Aug 26 for voters to cast their votes. All within 27 days.


The commission can easily set the polling day within the school holidays from March 14 - 22, 2009 since schools will be used for pollings and teachers are usually utililised to man polling stations. The commission considerations for the Umno general assembly in fixing the dates are too obvious to be ignored.


Whether Najib likes it or not, these by-elections will be taken as referendum on the two matters. Firstly on the questionable BN takeover of the Perak state government and secondly on Najib's appointment as the prime minister which is expected to take place on April Fool day!


As all of us knows by now, politics includes the art of political and media spinning. If BN wins, it will be credited to Najib but if they loses both seats, Najib can just blame it to his newly minted deputy prime minister, whoever that might be! It is usual for the deputy prime minister to take charge of by-elections as Najib did for Kuala Terengganu and Permatang Pauh by-elections.


The biggest winners for sure will be the people of Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau. Rest assured they will be experiencing windfalls or durian runtuh which they cannot even dare to imagine!


How I wish I am a voter within either one of the constituencies. - Loka

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Chinese Educationist Exemplary


Sim Mow Yu ( 1913 - 2009)

The late Sim Mow Yu, an authoritative and influential Chinese educationist, passed away recently on Feb 5, 2009 at the age of 96. Thousands of people from all walks of life send him off during his funeral in Melaka.


His contributions and legacies for Chinese education in Malaysia will be forever remembered by the people. He stood tall among all who believes in providing Chinese education for all. In 1987, he was even thrown into the Kamunting detention centre under the draconian ISA for his beliefs.

I am not a Chinese educationist but as a Buddhist, I am always grateful for his efforts that enabled the most important and holiest day in the Buddhist calendar, Wesak Day, to be declared a national public holiday in this country. - Loka

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Higher expectation from BN

The Umno led Perak state government took the oath of duty today with a reduced number of Exco members. Only six were appointed today and the other "vacancies" are expected to be filled from amongst the three "independents" assemblymen once the tide is settle and two of them are cleared of corruption charges. These three froggie assemblymen are widely expected to officially join BN later.


As expected, the only Chinese assemblyman from MCA, Dr Mah Hang Soon was appointed as an Exco member but not as a senior Exco as DAP's Ngeh Koo Ham in the Pakatan Rakyat's state government.


The consolation is that Mah was assigned to be in charge of the non-Muslims affairs committee which was initially created by PR's state government. Previous BN Perak state government do not have this sort of committee to handle the non-Muslims affairs until the PR took over the state last year.


This may be an effort by the BN state government to win the hearts of the people who are against the taking over of the state government by BN without the mandate of the people. One of the bigger issue which BN need to face will be the conversion of land in new villages to perpertuity ownership as promised by PR.


BN will need to offer more than a committee if they intended to stay on course to win the next general election. Perakians expects the BN state government not only to maintain whatever promises and plans by the PR government but to deliver more goodies to the people to prove that they are better than PR. If it fails to do that, BN be better prepared to experience a greater nightmare in the next election if they do less than that.-Loka

Monday, February 9, 2009

Another bump for Bodhi Park

It looks like the development of Bodhi Park in Shah Alam is going through another bumpy road again.


The building committee chairman Goh Seng Chai had submitted his resignation to the Penang-based Yayasan Belia Buddhist Malaysia (YBBM) headquarters two weeks ago. It seems the resignation was triggered by a proposed plan to hand over the Bodhi Park to the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia(YBAM) once the long delayed centre was completed.


The plan was announced by the vice chairman of the YBBM, Tan Gin Soon during a board of directors meeting recently. This intention came as a shock to Goh and those who has been involved in the building development process because YBBM members and donors were never aware that the building will be handed over to YBAM upon completion. The understanding was to provide facilities in the building for the usage of YBAM and other Buddhist groups.


The long standing problems besetting Bodhi Park has been well known especially amongst the Buddhist community. Approvals to build the centre has been delayed for close to 20 years due to government bureaucracies and policies. The original site for the centre was even asked to be shifted to the current location. The project which was stalled for many years starts to have encouraging results when Goh took over the building committee few years ago. He persistence and close follow-up managed to overcome the various obstacles in obtaining the various approvals from the state government and local authority to build the centre. He even succeeded in getting the state government not to imposed the 36 feet heights limit on the temple.


The proposed hand over plan was even more puzzling when considering the level of interest and involvement of YBAM in the project. Even though half of the directors in YBBM were nominated by YBAM, YBAM has not been involving actively not only in the development of Bodhi Park but also the YBBM itself in recent years. YBAM was busy trying to revived the Puzhao Buddhist Vihara training centre in Kluang, Johore since the 1990s. YBAM only obtained the green light from the Johore state government recently to proceed with re-construction of the Puzhao Vihara after being told to stop construction work since 1989.


It is just a pity that after struggling for about 20 years to obtain the necessary approvals to built the temple, it has to go through another internal bump due to fickle mindedness decision making process and losing touch with reality on the ground. - Loka

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Politics and Buddhism

Two months ago I received an invitation to speak to a group of university students on "Politics and Buddhism". I was delighted to accept the invitation because it is unusual for the Buddhist community in Malaysia to initiate talks or discussion focusing on politics vis-a-vis Buddhism.

It just happens that on the day I was to deliver the lecture, Malaysians were following excitedly and with great concern on the high political drama that was unfolding in Perak.

In Buddhist tradition, religion and politics are on separate platform. Religion are based on morality and ethics while politics are the struggle to obtain power. But then it does not mean Buddhists do not care or cannot be concerned or even involved in politics. The Buddhist approach in the political realm and struggle for power is on how an individual or group can achieve their objective without sacrificing their morality and act responsibly in using the power in their hands.

There are some instances when the Lord Buddha preaches about the roles of the people and responsibilties of the king (government) in maintaining a peaceful and develop country/state/district.


In the Agganna Sutta, which discourse centred on the knowlegde of beginnings, one part of it traces the beginnings of the process of governance involving people's participation in electing an official to manage the community affairs.

Buddha told Vasettha of Savatthi:
"Then, Vasettha, one greedy-natured being, while watching over his own plot, took
another plot that was not given to him, and enjoyed the fruits of it. So they seized hold of
him and said, "You’ve done a wicked thing, taking another’s plot like that! Don’t ever do
such a thing again!" "I won’t," he said, but he did the same thing a second and a third
time. Again, he was seized and rebuked, and some hit him with their fists, some with
stones, and some with sticks. And in this way, Vasettha, taking what was not given, and
censuring, and lying, and punishment took their origin.


"Then those beings came together and lamented the arising of these evil things among
them: taking what was not given, censuring, lying, and punishment. And they thought:
"Suppose we were to appoint a certain being who would show anger where anger was
due, censure those who deserved it, and banish those who deserved banishment! And in
return we would grant him a share of the rice." So they went to the one among them who
was the handsomest, the best-looking, most pleasant and capable, and asked him to do
this for them in return for a share of the rice, and he agreed.



The person elected to lead must be based on the Rule fo Law and quality of their moral conduct.


"The People’s Choice" is the meaning of Maha-Sammata, which is the first regular
title to be introduced. "Lord of the Fields" is the meaning of Khattiya, the second such
title. And "He Gladdens Others With Dhamma" is the meaning of Raja, the third title to
be introduced. This, then, Vasettha, is the origin of the class of Khattiyas, in accordance
with the ancient titles that were introduced for them. They originated among the very
same beings, like ourselves, no different and in accordance with Dhamma, not otherwise.

Dhamma is the best thing for people
In this life and the next as well. "


In the Buddhist perspective, what are the expected roles of the ruler or king? This was clearly stated in the Dasa Raja Dhamma or Ten Duties of the King as provided in the Jataka text. The term "king" can also be applied to all levels of government as well as all ministers and officers of the government.

The ‘Ten Duties" are as follows:
1. Dana: liberality, generosity or charity. The giving away of alms to the needy. It is the duty of the king to look after the welfare of his needy subjects. The ruler should give away wealth and property wisely without giving in-to craving and attachment.

2. Sila: morality - a high moral character. He should never destroy life, cheat, steal and exploit others, commit adultery, utter falsehood, and take intoxicating drinks. He must observe at least the Five Precepts of the layman, and conduct himself both in private and in public life as to be a shining example to his subjects.

3. Pariccaga: Sacrificing everything for the good of the people.He must be prepared to give up all personal comfort, name and fame, and even his life in the interest of the people.

4. Ajjava: Honesty and integrity. He must be free from fear or favour in the discharge of his duties, must be sincere in his intentions, and must not deceive the public.

5. Maddava: Kindness or gentleness. A ruler’s uprightness may sometimes require firmness. But this should be tempered with kindness and gentleness. In other words a ruler should not be over - harsh or cruel.

6. Tapa: Austerity in habits. He must live a simple life, and should not indulge in a life of luxury. He must have self-control.

7. Akkodha: Non-hatred. The ruler should bear no grudge against anybody. Without harbouring grievances he must act with forbearance and love.

8. Avihimsa: non-violence. Not only should he refrain from harming anybody but he should also try to promote peace and prevent war, and everything which involves violence and destruction of life.

9. Khanti: Patience, tolerance, understanding. He must be able to bear hardships, difficulties and insults without losing his temper.

10. Avirodha: Non - opposition and non-obstruction. The ruler should not oppose the will of the people, should not obstruct any measures that are conducive to the welfare of the people. In other words he should rule in harmony with his people.

Adapted from: What The Buddha Taught, Walpola Rahula, The Gordon Fraser Gallery Ltd., london, 1978, pp 85

In the Cakkavatti Sihanada Sutta, Buddha further advised:

1. A good ruler should act impartially and should not be biased and discriminate between one particular group of subjects against another.

2. A good ruler should not harbour any form of hatred against any of his subjects.

3. A good ruler should show no fear whatsoever in the enforcement of the law, if it is justifiable.

4. A good ruler must possess a clear understanding of the law to be enforced. It should not be enforced just because the ruler has the authority to enforce the law. It must be done in a reasonable manner and with common sense.

Extracted from: What Buddhists Believe, K. Sri Dhammananda, Buddhist Missonary Society Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 2002, pp 300

Hope the above will a reference to all for the good of the people and the country.- Loka

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Let the people decides

The Perak political situation is in shambles due to the defection of four assemblymen from the Pakatan Rakyat. One already rejoined Umno and the other three announced they are now "independents". The equation in Perak's 59 seats State Assembly after all the crossovers - PR 28 seats, BN/Umno 28 seats and three "independents" that supports BN. No one will be surprised if these "independents" will later joins BN component parties and given plump positions in the government and government link companies.


While PR Menteri Besar Nizar already announced assembly dissolved pending the royal consent of the Perak Sultan, the BN led by Najib declared they have enough seats to form the next state government.


Some questions and comparison will arises even if Najib obtained the green light from the Sultan for BN to form the new government.


1. Can the BN really represents the people of Perak when BN actually do not have the electoral mandate of the people?


2. Since nearly all of BN assemblymen are from Umno except one from MCA, can it really claim as a BN government? It is much more like Umno + 1 (MCA) government.


3. With a large populace of non-Malays in Perak, if granted by Sultan, the Umno led state government will now be seen as a Malay government against majority non-Malays assemblymen in opposition.


4. Will horse trading continues to enticed more defection, especially from Indian assemblymen in DAP to Gerakan/MIC?


5. Can BN/Umno fulfill the expectation of the electorates which already get a feel on the people friendly approach of PR? How is Umno going to deal with PR State's promised to convert new villages leasehold land to freehold which Umno originally plan to derail it?


6. Will the new BN/Umno state government be stable? If the new state government was established via the back door and with crossovers of unprincipled elected official, will it not always be clouded by the threat of similar situation?


The bottomline is that the formation of any new government through crossovers and defection is a betrayal of trust of the people that voted for the elected official and the theft of the people's right to seek and vote for their choice of representatives. The proper and decent choice is to give back the right to the people to determine who they want to lead and run the government.


This is part of the democratic process and good governance. Let the people decides. - Loka