The Kajang Move – Right or wrong voters to decide with wisdom

Kajang by-election a mini national referendum 

The resignation of Kajang Assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh to pave way for PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim has created a great deal of debate and controversy in the media, the offices and in coffee shops all over. The Kajang Move as it is called was initiated by Anwar may even become the cause of his downfall if he loses the by-election, now scheduled for March 23, 2014 as many groups including Bersih and even some ardent supporter of Pakatan are unhappy with the forced by-election which they feel is an abuse of our parliamentary democracy and a waste of taxpayer’s money. 

The voters may not be happy with the way the way the Kajang Move was introduced, very suddenly and in secrecy, without prior consultation with people or even among top Pakatan leaders. They may be justified for being angry but they must listen to the reasons given for such a secretly rushed move. They must get to know the truth before deciding what to do next in the elections. In this regards, Anwar’s decision to go down to the people and meeting the voters to explain his controversial move should be commended. I for one do not believe Anwar would want to take such a big risk that could virtually ‘kill’ off his political future and even land in jail for life. In fact some of his senior allies in Pakatan have expressed the fear that Pakatan will be finished if Anwar loses the Kajang by-election. Thus this by-election will be a great test for Anwar, PKR and Pakatan. Why has Anwar embarked on such a dangerous move?

Since the13^th GE on May 5 last year many there have been many developments to bring the country to the present situation we are in today. The economy is slow, price of all basic commodities have gone up tremendously leading to an escalated cost of living, racial and religious tensions among the multiethnic population have risen to dangerous levels threatening the peace and harmony and rampant corruption continues to rob the nation of its wealth. These and many others have led to an uncertain future for all Malaysians.

Voters are normally denied access to the right channels to air their views especially if theirs are against the ruling party. The Kajang by-election gives them a rare opportunity to show their anger and their frustrations over the unfavorable state of our country and the performance of both BN and Pakatan over the last 10 months. They should treat the Kajang by-election as a referendum not only on the Selangor government but on the handling of important national issues confronting all especially social, economic and racial tensions.

   

The voters of Kajang cannot change the federal or state governments but they can make or break Anwar and his Pakatan in this election and thereby can indirectly cause the collapse of the Pakatan state government in Selangor and see the return of the BN. The Kajang voters have therefore very important decision to make on March 23, 2014 on behalf of all Malaysians. The choice is theirs but they must bear in mind they may be determining the future of all Malaysians.

Chinese New Year - Family Reunion Dinner "Sek Fan"

Your family & you - A nice,touching ans meaningful video for sharing this CNY

One of the best practices in the Chinese culture is the Annual Reunion Dinner on the eve of the CNY when children wherever they are make special efforts to be physically reunited with their parents and siblings after a year of work,toil and all sorts of problems.It is like the birds returning to their nests and the feeling of that reunion meeting is wonderful and beyond words can describe.It is not just the meal but the sacrifice made to be with parents and siblings and the joy in cherishing the good old innocent days which no money can buy.

It is great that such a practice has become a norm in all communities in the country and the "balik kampung" concept has become such a wonderful culture for all races.

Unfortunately with a materialistic and technologically sophisticated society,this practice is losing its real meaning and may even be fading away as we become more preoccupied with our own lives.In this process at times we become more selfish and have no time for our siblings and even our parents.

As children we must do our best to preserve this culture of ''reunion" at least once a year and if possible more frequently on a smaller scale as time permits.

Kajang move – brilliant political strategy or foolish false alarm?

The sudden resignation of the Kajang state assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh to force a by-election for the Selangor assembly seat caught many by surprise and has come under severe criticism by many Malaysians. They see such an action as irresponsible, a waste of taxpayer’s money and a betrayal of the voters who have voted for him just 10 months earlier.

The fact that PKR Supremo Anwar Ibrahim will be contesting the seat further aggravated the dissatisfaction of the people who feel, Anwar should know better that such a move is not democratically right. There are accusations that it may be his desperate move to seek power by becoming MB of the richest state in the country. Anwar and his people in PKR whelhlmently deny all these allegation and insists that the Kajang move is a political strategy that is necessary to ward off the BN assault to take over the state.

The people are confused. Is Anwar going to take over as Selangor MB? If he does, is it the right move? Is he so desperate as to want to replace the incumbent Khalid Ibrahim who is doing reasonably well? Is he just interested in the rich state coffers? The move may not be the best, but it is the right political strategy at this given time if there are moves at the highest levels to topple the Pakatan rule in Selangor by undemocratic means like in Perak before.

The playing up of the Allah issue to create religious and racial tensions among the Muslims and Christians that led to the high-handed raid of the Bible Society of Malaysia and confiscation of hundreds of bibles by Jais followed by attacks on churches in Penang are irresponsible acts that may create instability. They could be indeed means to bring down the Pakatan rule in Selangor.
  
There is general believe that the BN government is capable of such undemocratic maneuvers to take over  Selangor as similar tensions were created in a church in Ipoh before the controversial takeover of  Perak state government in 2009. Why this religious and racial tension is this time caused by the perceived threat to Islam by Christians is only in Penang and Selangor? Don’t other states ruled by BN also have significant number of Christians to be seen as a threat to Muslims there too? As such it is only fair for Anwar and his Pakatan to take strong pre-emptive moves to ward off any threats to its rule as they are the legitimately elected government.

As ordinary citizens, we may not know the real truth behind this Kajang move. But I am sure Anwar cannot be so stupid as to embark on such a drastic and risky move without good reasons. Why should he risk his reputation and position in contesting for a state seat when victory for him is not guaranteed? It is also difficult to believe that a man of his stature would want to settle for a state MB’s post.

What is in Anwar's mind only he alone knows but many want to believe it must be for some long term benefit to save Selangor and the country from the ruins being brought by incapable and incorrigible Umno-BN. Many right thinking Malaysians, have no choice, but to continue supporting him but he must act fast to allay their suspicion and the anxieties in the minds of the millions who supported him and placed their hopes on him,otherwise he will be seen as just another junk politician taking the rakyat for granted.