Anwar or BN a disaster?

Anwar has been fiercely criticized by many in BN including the PM who is usually cool even when attacked by Mahathir. What was surprising is that the severe criticism of Anwar by one time friends Chandra Muzaffar and Nalla. all their criticisms relate to Anwar's past not the present.

Who doesn't make mistakes?We all do but what is important is whether we have learnt a lesson from our mistakes which I think Anwar has.Not only he has but he has also been severely punished for them.

The huge crowds that await to greet Anwar wherever he goes cannot be wrong all the time.There must be something good and positive about him.His multi-racial approach is something to be commended ,something alien to UMNO's BN ,that thrives on racial politics and nothing else.Even the Chinese and Indians who were suspicious of him in 1998 have changed their minds and have accepted him as their leader.

Anwar is the only hope we have to put a stop to the high handed and bullying tactics of UMNO and the BN.Chandra says it would be a disaster if Anwar becomes the PM.Would it be a blessing if the the BN continues with its reign and if Najib takes over as the PM?

Dr.Chris Anthony

Anwar rocks Perak, Pak Lah no-show

Andrew Ong Malaysiakini Mar 5, 08 2:36pm

As campaigning entered the crucial final lap, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim blazed through Perak yesterday to rally voters.

At every stop, large crowds waited for hours to greet the former deputy premier, who started his tour in Tanjung Malim in the morning before making his way up north through Bota, Bidor, Tapah, Gopeng, Sungai Siput and finally Bagan Serai.

The crowds were wooed by his populist messages which included reducing fuel prices, providing free education and the release of the five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

By about 7pm, Anwar had arrived at Simpang Pulai, Gopeng, where he was greeted with a hero’s welcome and rapturous chants of reformasi from a racially mixed crowd of more than 2,000.

Despite spending the entire day on the road, Anwar showed no signs of fatigue and rallied Gopeng voters to back PKR candidates Lee Boon Chye (Gopeng), Chan Ming Kai (Simpang Pulai), Chang Lih Kang (Teja) and PAS candidate Radzi Zainon (Sungai Rapat).

He also launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission for aborting the use of indelible ink at the eleventh hour. He lamented that "phantoms" would now roam on polling day.

"Barisan Nasional (BN) is scared of losing. That’s why they aborted the use of indelible ink," said Anwar to loud cries of "betul (correct)!" from the crowd.

What's wrong with helping Indians?

An hour later, Anwar arrived at a small Malay village in Batang Kulim near Kuala Kangsar where he urged supporters to step up efforts to dethrone Sungai Siput incumbent S Samy Vellu.

"This is the focal point for Malaysians because the Indian community wants to see Samy out. The only ones supporting Samy is Umno Sungai Siput (division)," he told the crowd of more than 1,000.

Anwar even addressed the Hindraf issue and explained to the Malay majority crowd that Hindraf was not anti-Malay but merely fighting for better economic conditions and education.

"What wrong with helping the Indians? They are opposing government oppression and the demolition of their temples. Shouldn’t we help them?" he asked to which the more than 1,000 people replied with a resounding ‘Yes’.

The crowd also welcomed Anwar’s call for the five Hindraf leaders to be released from ISA.

Pak Lah not coming?

Unlike Anwar, Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak have not set foot in Perak since nomination day.

However, rumours have been circulating among journalists that the duo would be visiting the area to rally support for BN candidates in various "dangerous" seats.

The seats include Taiping, Beruas, Gopeng, Sungai Siput, Tapah, Ipoh Barat and Bagan Serai.

In the Kinta Valley, it was also observed that posters featuring Abdullah, which normally accompanied the posters of BN candidates in the last general election, were hard to come by in the Chinese-majority area this time around.

Such posters are more visible in areas which have a substantial Malay voter base such as Sungai Siput.

Asked about the absence of posters featuring Abdullah in the Kinta Valley, MCA’s Ipoh Timor candidate Liew Mun Hon did not provide a direct answer.

"The posters were provided by the national party headquarters. I’m sure they have their reasons. As a BN candidate, we work as a team. We have a manisfesto that is drawn up by the prime minister," he said.

Opposition parties in the Kinta Valley have been attacking Abdullah’s credibility as a leader and his alleged inability to keep corruption and inflation in check.

Mahathir mengaku zalimi DSAI

Can Anwar be trusted?

Going by what he is doing and saying at the ceramahs,I think Anwar is truthful and genuine in wanting to serve the nation.One has to only attend a ceramah of his to understand that.Not only he is genuine but is increasingly demonstrating that is a really true leader for all Malaysians.

He speaks openly in front of all,Malays,Chinese and Indians,in support of any community that is marginalized.He calls for the elimination of suspicion between the races and stresses on the importance of developing mutual trust among them.

He does have closed-door sessions to discuss the problems of individual races.This is a signal of the evolution of a multiracial Malaysia where each community understands,appreciates and willing to help each other to get out of their ailments.

It is time that we put our prejudices of his past and support him for a better future.Who does not make mistakes to condemn Anwar for life?

Dr.Chris Anthony


Anwar says it again 'I'm no chameleon'

Terence Netto Malaysiakini,Mar 2, 08 2:51pm


PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim met head-on criticisms contained in a widely circulated MCA leaflet portraying him as a chameleon that changes colours to suit its political surroundings.

The unflattering portrait of the PKR leader conveyed by a 4-page leaflet entitled “Disclosing the true face of Anwar” was, according to the fine print on the last page, issued by the party’s headquarters in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

Among other things, the leaflet claimed Anwar was against lion and dragon dances when he was then culture, youth and sports minister in 1982; that he decreed the teaching of Chinese and Indian studies in Universiti Malaya be in Bahasa Malaysia in 1987 when he was education minister; and that he placed non-Mandarin speaking administrators in government-run Chinese primary schools.

When asked to respond, Anwar said: “The notion that I’m a political chameleon misses things by a mile.”

He elaborated: “Nothing I did and said in the language and cultural spheres were not standard BN-Umno policy and nowhere did I take my championing of any issue to the extent that I waved a keris and called for bloodletting, stirring crowds to emotive outbursts.”

Anwar was referring to the October 1987 Umno Youth-led demonstration in Kuala Lumpur where a band of Malay leaders, including present Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, harangued the crowd with inflammatory rhetoric.

Anwar’s face-off

At that time, the posting of non-Mandarin speaking administrators to government-aided Chinese schools ratcheted up racial tension in the country.

“Those were fraught times and I hold that the distinction one ought to make between a responsible and a chauvinistic leader in that context lay in how you argued your point without inflaming public sentiment.

“I stood on the sane side of that divide while there were others in power today who breached that line with impunity,” he said.

In a low twist, the leaflet accentuates Anwar’s supposedly devious side by superimposing a Chinese theatre facial mask on one side of his face on the opening page.

The charges leveled at Anwar in the remaining pages reinforced this image of a sinister character, untrustworthy and unprincipled.

“I suppose all is fair and foul in the midst of a high stakes election campaign,” commented Anwar. “But the notion of me as a Malay ultra is a base canard.”

Why deny BN 2/3 majority? Part 1

Electoral Delineation Exercise

There are hundreds of reasons why any government must not be given absolute power.History has shown that absolute power often corrupts even the most righteous.

We are all aware of what electoral delineation had done to our voting system.Despite obtaining 60% of the votes the oppostion could not deny the BN its 2/3 majority.

The next deliniation exercise is in 2 years time.This time it will be again be more favourable to the BN making it almost impossible for the BN to lose any future election or deny it 2/3 majority.

The government needs a 2/3 majority in parliament to pass any delineation bill.If we want to stop any unfair electoral delineation we must deny them 2/3 majority.

If we want to safeguard our rights we should never give any party a 2/3 majority - it is like giving chem a blank cheque to fill in as they like,like sending man to the moon,opening corridors all over,purchasing submarines and so on.The list is endless.

Come March 8,let's vote in more opposition to deny the BN absolute power to do as it pleases.Without such power the ruling party has to come back to us for support whenever they make major decisions.

Dr.Chris Anthony

Elections and the rakyat

The voters not the voted are the masters

Nominations for the 12^th General elections went on smoothly without any major hitches. The various political parties have revealed their manifestos and vigorous campaign for votes have begun. Each party and the candidates themselves claim they are the best. We really hope the parties concerned, both ruling and opposition, have provided their best candidates for the people.

It was heartening to see opposing candidates putting aside their political differences and greeting each other in a friendly manner during the nominations. We hope their friendliness and goodwill will extend into the campaign period and thereafter. We hope they adhere to the election rules and ethics during their campaign, avoiding sensitive issues and personal attacks against their opponents.

It is encouraging that in over 90% of the constituencies there is a straight one-to-one fight between the BN and the opposition, making it easier for the voters to make their pick. It was a great achievement on the part of the opposition. It is now up to the voters to scrutinize the merits of each candidate and the party they represent before deciding who they elect to represent their interests in parliament and state assemblies. After 50 years, I am sure the people are mature enough to choose the best candidate and the party as their wakil rakyat.

Unfortunately this time certain unhealthy trends appeared to have set in when it came to the choice of candidates. Firstly, there was the parachuting of high profile national leaders into areas where they were alien but considered “safe seats”. This virtually displaced the local leaders, who had worked tirelessly over the years to gain the trust and support of the local people. This by-passing of local leaders had caused much unhappiness among them and the residents.

Secondly, there appears to be a tendency towards the setting up of political dynasties. A significant number of children and relatives, some extremely young, of important personalities have managed to secure seats to contest.

Thirdly,many veteran politicians despite having passed their prime still refused to step down to make way for capable younger candidates.

Political parties should not allow these practices to take roots as they would deny talented and capable leaders at grassroots from being selected as candidates. Creating dynasties in political parties is unhealthy for the future of the nation as a whole because by doing so only those who are well connected will get a chance to be selected. Selection of candidates should be based purely on merit not otherwise.

A number of issues require serious attention by the government coming into power. These include an escalating cost of living and basic amenities of healthcare, housing and education, corruption, racial and religious polarizations and allegations of discrimination, a partisan public service and high crime rate.

These issues must be addressed immediately and professionally before irreversible damage is done to the socio-economic well being of the country. It needs a government that is not only experienced but possesses the political will to listen to the people and change for the better.

As responsible citizens, we have a very important obligation to our nation on this March 8. It is not about clearing clogged drains, filling potholes, putting up street lights or carrying out projects to beautify the environment, which should be the responsibility of the relevant local authorities. It is far more important than those; we are to elect the people who will deliberate and debate on national policies and issues that will affect not just the present but the future of our nation.

We may not be able to make a complete change this time but we must at least deny the ruling party a 2/3 majority to check its abuses of power and wealth. Every political candidate and party claims they are the best but that is for us to decide and decide we must do with great wisdom, discern and diligence. In a democratic system, it is the voters not the voted are the masters.

Dr.Chris Anthony

Racial politics must be abolished

Racial politics must be abolished

Abraham Lincoln, in his earlier days, was moved by the sight of slaves being sold in the market,and he remarked "If I get a chance to hit this thing,I'll hit it hard".Yes,he went on to become the 16th.president of America and as pledged he abolished slavery,against the wishes of the white majority and masters of the land.By carrying out the most unpopular decision,which even caused him his life, he become one of the greatest politicians of all times.

Not many political leaders today would want to take a stand,though may be right but unpopular, for fear of losing their support.In Malaysia politics is primarily based on race and over the last 50 years only ethnic champions have ascended the throne of power.Many true Malaysians at heart,who went against that to champion all the races, soon disappeared into oblivion to become just another name in history.

Anwar in vowing to dismantle race politics is taking the biggest gamble of his political career.We salute his courage and his determination to steer the country in the direction where every citizen,regardless of his/her ethnicity will be accorded equal and fair treatment.It may cost him his political career but it should not worry him too much as with his perseverance, one day as his party's manifesto goes,"A new dawn for Malaysia" will definitely materialize.

We all yearn for the day when all citizens regardless of race and religion can play together.eat together,stay together and even pray together without hate and suspicion for one another but share a common brotherhood as Malaysians.

We must give Anwar all the support he needs in his struggles to rid the nation of racial politics that is threatening to destroy the very foundation on which it has been built.We have the means now,our vote.Come March 8,let us all rise up courageously to display our patriotism and say "yes" to Anwar in his endeavors to free our nation from the clutches of racial politics so that our dreams for a united Malaysia will become a reality in the near future.We must destroy racial politics before it destroys us.

Dr.Chris Anthony

Anwar vows to dismantle racial politics

Malaysiakini Feb 26, 08 7:19pm

Opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim has vowed to end race-based discrimination policies in Malaysia, making it one of the major planks of his party's manifesto ahead of March 8 polls.

Anwar, who was deputy prime minister until being sacked and jailed in 1998, said long-running policies favouring majority Malays had only benefited cronies of the ruling Umno.

"The New Economic Policy has been abused to enrich the family of Umno leaders and their cronies," said Anwar who is campaigning for the PKR formally led by his wife.

"If you really want to deal with the issue of poverty, why can't we just say we have an affirmative action policy helping the poor and the marginalised. It should not be racially based."

Malaysia has pursued an affirmative action program for Malays and indigenous groups known as bumiputeras since the 1970s to close a wealth gap with the minority Chinese community.

However, it has been criticised for failing to pull a large number of Muslim Malays out of poverty, and of ignoring the minority ethnic Indian community, which is also disadvantaged.

Battling rising inflation

The manifesto entitled 'A New Dawn for Malaysia', centred on battling rising inflation, which has triggered public anger and rare public protests as the prices of food and fuel edge higher.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has said the government cannot afford to continue spending RM43.4 billion annually to subsidise essential items.

Anwar said Abdullah was "in denial" over the state of the economy.

"PKR promises to lower the price of petrol ... as well as manage the prices of basic goods to ensure a consistent supply. Tolls and tariffs will also no longer be raised," he said.

PKR has forged a loose alliance with two other opposition parties who have agreed to stand just one candidate against the government in each constituency, avoiding damaging three-cornered contests.

The opposition hopes that gripes over inflation, rising crime rates and mounting ethnic tensions will enable it to reduce the government's thumping majority below two-thirds for the first time in history.

Lingam video scandal : need for revamp of Judiciary

The Royal commission of Inquiry an insult to the intelligence of the people

The Royal Commission Inquiry into the Lingam video has come to an end and the question in everyone’s mind is whether the commission will come up with any credible conclusions and recommendations to heal the ailing judiciary. The general opinion is there will not be any tangible outcome from it therefore confirming perception that it was just a sandiwara.

The commission began with various high profile personalities denying everything that was obvious to the eyes and minds of the ordinary person. It is sad that what is seen and heard become by one’s own eyes and ears can be disputed by those in power and influence. If such evidence was presented of ordinary citizens, they would have been convicted and sentenced without the need for an elaborate Royal Commission requiring the expenditure of thousands of ringgit of taxpayer’s money.

The allegations and the evidence of the various witnesses were extremely serious that has tremendously tarnished the integrity of the judiciary at the highest level. They have cast serious doubts of the integrity of the judiciary in the minds of the rakyat.

Imagine the following scenario:

1. A lawyer writing the judgment for a very senior judge and the accused being convicted and fined RM10million, the highest so far for a crime of that nature.
2. The top judge in the country and his family going on holiday to a foreign land with a lawyer involved in the cases being deliberated by the judge.
3. A lawyer sending expensive gifts to top judges and their families.
4. A lawyer brokering the promotion of not junior but very senior judges to the highest positions in the judiciary.

In most democratic countries these allegations would have been sufficient to pass a vote of no confidence in the government of the day and call for fresh elections. In Malaysia unfortunately the ruling party may not only win the election but with an increased majority because the people are fearful of losing their positions of comfort with somebody else coming into power. They prefer the economic and social “security” over accountability, transparency and good governance.

The way the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam tape conducted itself, is an insult to the intelligence of the people. Should we continue to accept such insults? Isn’t it a time for change? We should ponder over these questions and act wisely come March 8.

The judicial corruption is the making of the BN government especially under the leadership of former Prime Minister,Tun Dr. Mahathir over the last 2 decades. When called to testify before the Royal Commission he conveniently chose to forget his The way the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam tape conducted itself, is an insult to the intelligence of the people. Should we continue to accept such insults? Isn’t it a time for change? We should ponder over these questions and act wisely come March 8.

part that contributed to the emasculation of the judiciary. He was however very vivid with his memory as far as his authority was concerned. He was arrogant enough to say that he owes nobody any explanation for his decisions, not even the Chief Justice in the appointment of judges. He was mainly responsible for the mess in our judiciary today.

There was much hope that after Mahathir’s exit, the new prime minister may initiate measures to clear the mess but it was too much for him. Consciously or otherwise he managed to expose the filth, but he has proven that he is not capable to restore the judiciary and the country to its past glory. Can we trust a party which has created all this mess to be responsible enough to clear them as well? How can we when the government doesn’t even admit its mistakes?

As citizens we are helpless against the powerful government which continues to bulldoze its unfair policies without consultation or dialogue. All peaceful means of expression are denied.Peacful assemblies are crushed brutally with water canons and tear gas.

It is election time and it is the only opportunity for us to make known in uncertain terms our frustrations to the government we chose all these years. We must deny them the 2/3 majority that gives them absolute power to do as they please. We must not lose this golden opportunity to put things right. We must act and now is the time.

Dr.Chris Anthony