Dear Readers: PLease red my entry
here YESTERDAY, when all our troubles seem'd so far away! TQ for being an obedient boy/gal!:) ~~ YL Desi, May 16, 2013
LINK:
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=11493162#editor/target=post;postID=4619409348781386118;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=9;src=postname
on post titled: A Straight-talking Is Harsher Than Desi on ...(Haris Ibrahim)
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The following is a CATCHING-UP post -- should have been written some 5 to 6 weeks ago, but it's better late than never. But Desi was busying himself organising BUM2011 which ended July 24 afternoon; and two days later I had to recuperate-reenergise -- okay, RnRnR! -- at the Seremban General for one week followed by 5-week HI-atus. Now I'm back writHing in blogosphere and I needed to write the following post to do justice to MP Tian Chua much maligned by Haris in TWO SPECULATIVE POSTS, a capital offence in my vocab from one Bersih2.0 leader's stabbing a fellow Bersih supporter/leader's in the back, with the aid of the much respected Polis DiRaja Malaysia (the esteem in Haris' eye...)
Yes, this post, much aided by a commenter calling himself DON, TO SHOW THE HYPOCRISY OF PEAOPLE's PARLIAMENT hostblogger--cum-MCLM Prez Haris Ibrahim.
I was truly amazed and angry that so-called "People's Parliament" blogger-cum-lawyer could turncoat so badly. In fact, merely reading the titles to his two posts would make anyone who is well-informed to shake his/her head in "disbelief". I won't even dignity this guy reproducing the two posts here/hear -- THE TWO LINKS WILL SUFFICE.
Posted by Haris Ibrahim
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From henceforth, I am taking the liberty of using a well-informed Commenter there at Haris Ibrahim's post to "speak" as his views easily resonate with what I have been writing all along for the past one year-plus about Haris Ibrahim (RPK too) and Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) and incidentally Haris' connection with Bersih2.0.
My esteemed readers are advised to check out the many comments at People's Parliament to get a "balanced" picture, but following are Don's and Desi's takes:):)Don Says:
July 28, 2011 at 7:38 pm
The same names, the same game, the same lines of defence, Haris is sitting next to God, nah, he is God, only well, second to RPK of course, Haris is committed to reforms, Haris is the next wonderful thing, 2nd only to RPK, to happen to Malaysian politics, blah, blah blah. All bloody excuses to enable RPK, Haris, etc., to bring down the present leadership of PKR, especially Anwar, so that RPK and Haris can dictate to PKR. The trouble with these people is that they are sooo predictable and unrelenting in the attempts in wanting to bring Pakatan down.
I always said, many, many times, Haris, Zorro and RPK are arse holes, this proves it. Again, I have said several times, Haris, together with RPK are working with BN, and are trojan horses, now this is the proof.
Surely there are other ways to get Tian Chua answer for the video. For God’s sakes, it’s 40 seconds of film, and by watching 40 seconds of film, Haris has already come to a conclusion. And no matter how Tian Chua defends himself, Haris has made sure that he has got public opinion on his side. To ensure maximum effect, he has got his minnows and side kicks to comment negatively about Tian Chua.
Haris knows that there are more effective ways of getting Tian Chua explain himself. But doing it that way, will not achieve Haris’ and the puppet master RPK’s objectives and ulterior motives.
Tian Chua has given his life to fight for the benefit of others’, that have brought about terrible consequences upon himself. RPK has, countless hit out at Tian Chua, saying a certain website is linked to Tian Chua, and that, that website is bending backwards to accommodate Tian Chua, I knew worse things will follow, and I guessed that Haris will be one doing the damage to Tian Chua, at RPK’s bidding, and it seems that I was right.
All I have say is this: shame on you Haris. You formed MCLM with two members, you and RPK, one as chairman and other as President, to cause maximum damage to the reputations of Anwar, and now it seems to Tian Chua. You came into Bersih, now we know, as a trojan horse, and it would also seem that you have achieved your purpose, but the game is not over yet. You will get what is due to you.
Haslinah Yacob is the the first to see through your veil. Others’ will follow. I am eager to see the day when someone in the UK spits on RPK’s face and calls him a coward. And you Haris, because you allowed yourself to be used, your turn will come too.
To all those who will write to defend Haris, I do respect your decision to do so. Just argue on the points that I have raised, don’t be cowards like RPK and Haris and become comment snipers.
Enough said.
Reply
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(Dear ER: Note that my reply, reprised below wit' Typos, Warts and all/awe, is dated 5 September while Don's original comment was dated July 28, 2011 ~~
YL, Desi)
ylchong Says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
September 5, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Don, I second most of what you’ve written here. I saw thru Haris and RPK long ago when they constantly n consistently condemned PKR and its leaders starting more than a year ago, hece my writing several articles at MChronicle rebutting him, Haris and MCLM,
I also asked Haris Ib to “reessin” from the Bersih2.0 Steering Committee the moment he took up post as secoid lieutenent to RPK, my Fac-Off opponent whom I also challenge to prove his false allegations against me. (
++++NOTE: See tomorrow's post in which I will reprise my earlier writing on this subject! ~~ YL, Desi) He maintained elegant silence, and I told him in one post he’s both a coward and a liar.
Hari Ib only “resigned” his Bersih post recently, BUT HE WAS THE ONE WHO COMPROMISED BERSIH’S NEUTRALITYT.
Reply
***************************************************UPDATEd @the break ofdawn:
Fellow BUM2011 organising right or left hand pardner DonPlayPuks had also commented there/dare, numbered 29 in line but ranking top of MY list!:)29.
donplaypuks Says:
July 28, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Bro
Whose side are you on?
Leave it to the police to investigate and if they have the evidence and case, charge Tian Chua.
It was supposed to be a peaceful assembly. Who came there with tear gas and water cannons and cornered everyone like a posse of cattle, robbing them of their dignit? Who were the provocateurs – Tian Chua or the police and FRU?
An what, TC was “charging” the FRU with a lethal yellow T-shirt and shouting out “3″ ??!!
You want to curry favour with the force which arrests people for “waging war against the KIng” and “resurrecting Communism”?
Come on, get off your high horse. Please reserve your energy and righteousness for the real enemy!
dpp
we are all of 1 Race, the Human Race
Reply
PS: TOMORROW I shalt reproduce Sdr Tian Chua's reply to Haris' challenge/dare to respond to his two Prosecutor-Judge-and-Jury posts.
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Continuing from yesterday's post, I am reproducing below the Press Statement from MP Tian Chua -- nothing like hearing it from the horse's mouth! I would also like to reprise one of my own posts from days of yore relevant to my asking -- shouldn't have Haris resigned his Bersih2.0 Steerig Committee membership the moment he decided to lead MCLM? Another question I would add -- as was asked by several Commenters at People's Parliament -- what right had Haris got to arrogate unto himself from Bersih2.0 chief Ambiga to be the spokesperson for Bersih in condemning the MP from Batu at the Bersih rally? What are Haris' motives (something I will explore tomorrow...Note on 13 Sept 11 ~~ I apologise it has to wait while Desi gets out of QWriter's Block which I suffer from when tackling certain writHes "reluctantly!, YL, Desi)
~~ YL, Desi
July 28, 2011
The title of this post is in fact the unedited heading of a press statement released by YB Tian Chua that I received by email.
The full text of the same is reproduced below.
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On July 21, the PDRM held a press conference to justify the violent conduct of police personnel. An edited video footage was released to the press in order to show that BERSIH demonstrators were aggressive and provocative. The PDRM claimed that they had only used minimal force against the peaceful assembly.
One particular clip showed the scene where the crowd marching out of the KL Sentral were met by a row of policemen. The video is said to show me leading the demonstrators running to the front. The PDRM asserted that it was an evidence of provocation.
Subsequently the video has been broadcast on prime time TV almost daily, with the objective of depicting BERSIH rally as violent. This edited video does not give the true picture of what happened at the tunnel that day.
The PDRM has launched an all-out media propaganda war to demonize BERSIH. Although the police did not specifically accused me for “charging” the police, reports in mainstream media insinuate that I and other demonstrators intended to “attack” or cause physical harm to the police officers.
This is far from the truth. From the video, it was clear that the policemen had their guns loaded with tear gas canisters. At the time, the crowd was trapped in an tunnel-like enclosed area. The group included BERSIH chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan, Anwar Ibrahim, Wan Azizah, Hadi Awang, Lim Kit Siang and other leaders and participants.
For anybody in that circumstances could notice the danger of staying in the enclosure once the police fire the tear gas. The video footage only showed a few people rushed out toward the open air, and tear gas was fired directly into the crowd.
The video also showed that the police fired the tear gas canisters horizontally into the enclosed zone non-stopped. The police action was evidently malicious and intended to cause maximum harm to the peaceful group without warning. It was unprovoked and unwarranted action. It was police brutality
Hundreds of people were eye-witnesses to the incident. The edited video cannot distort the truth. The government should accept the responsibility of excessive force against peaceful BERSIH rally. The witch-hunt whether on me or other participants cannot absolve the guilt of brutality on 9 July.
The video also showed that the police fired the tear gas canisters horizontally into the enclosed zone non-stop. At least 12 shells were fired in a matter of a couple of minutes. 3 persons suffered injury to the head. The injuries suffered by Anwar Ibrahim’s bodyguard Fayyadh Afiq Al Baqry who had his left cheekbone crushed were particularly serious.
The police action was evidently malicious and intended to cause serious injury to the defenseless demonstrators. Use of tear gas in such a manner has been known to cause death.The incident was eye-witnessed by hundreds of people and even the edited video cannot distort the truth. The government should accept the responsibility of excessive force against peaceful BERSIH rally. The witch-hunt whether on me or other participants cannot absolve the guilt of brutality on 9 July.
I call upon the police to cooperate fully with the impending SUHAKAM inquiry where I believe the facts will be presented by all interested parties in a public inquiry. Let the public then judge based on those facts.
Tian Chua
Vice President Parti Keadilan Rakyat
Member of Parliament
Posted by Haris Ibrahim
Filed in BERSIH 2.0 Rally, Right to know
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And quoting from DonPlayPuks again wrt Tian Chua's press statement,(DPP is aka ES Shankar, my moderator pardner at BUM2011 and BUM2010 and BUM2009:):):),
donplaypuks Says:
Puvan
I am one of the public (who also atttended Bersih09/07/2011) and I am on Tian Chuan’s side.
Bersih was a peaceful march. So, why did the police turn up in such large numbers with tear gas, water cannons and chemical laced water and FRU? By what right and under what law did they arrest those wearing yellow t-shirts and Dr.Jeyakumar and the other 5? “Waging war against the King and resurrecting Communism”??!! Rosemajib’s big fat ass!
No way was TC any kind of spark that lit any fire at KL Sentral. The police coralled Bersih supporters like cattle and then expected them to wait meekly and patiently for the slaughter?
TC was not remotely armed with anything that could be mistaken for a weapon. Oh, of course, like Ambiga and others, he was wearing a deadly yellow t-shirt which shook the police to the core, leading them to suspect that Bersih supporters were going to fish out a bazooka or fire a hand-held grenade launcher?
Come on, the cops were itching for it and did everything to provoke Bersih supporters. I was there and no way were Bersih supporters going to give the cops the slightest excuse.
However rash TC may sometimes be in his actions, he is someone I would rather have on my side any given day and twice on a Sunday, than anyone from UMNO/BN or the leadership of PDRM.
Don’t fall for this APCO spindoctoring and cleverly edited videos!
dpp
we are all of 1 Race, the Human Race
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++++NOTE: As I indicated in my note in yesterday's post, I reproduced the following:
extracting some relevant parts from my post at this blog of
Thursday Feb 17, 2011.......
Bersih2.0 muddied by People's Parliament playing 'active' politics
Bersih rallies for free and clean elections
YL Chong
My "concerned" activist-friend said that with Haris' involvement in MCLM -- touted by many as The Third Force -- he and several Bersih activists are not happy that the "neutrality" of Bersih is being compromised once MCLM started announcing "nominees" comprising so-called "Malaysians of integity" as candidates for GE13.
KUALA LUMPUR - I recently bumped into an non-governmental organisation (NGO) activist who expressed concern about civil rights lawyer-blogger Haris Ibrahim's increasingly "political" role in Malaysian politics. Nothing wrong with any individual playing politics except that Haris is also founder of People's Parliament which has been, and still is, a key component of the coalition named Bersih -- Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections 2.0 (BERSIH2.0)-- whose cornerstone role since its formation is fighting for free and fair elections in Malaysia. Just two weekends ago, the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) was launched by blogger-in-exile Raja Petra Kamarudin (RPK) in London with RPK being announced as the Chairman, and Haris as the President.
"Bersih" in Bahasa Malaysia means "Clean" and is the acronym for this coalition of NGOs started before the last general elections in 2008 (GE12) to improve all aspects of what was and still is perceived by the citizenry of a highly "tainted" electoral processes leading to the Malaysian Parliament as well as to the State Assemblies. And with the next general elections (GE13) expected to be around the corner, the weekend saw a briefing by Haris for NGOs on what MCLM is all about, and the previous weekend the launch of MCLM in Lodon.
My "concerned" activist-friend said that with Haris' involvement in MCLM -- touted by many as The Third Force -- he and several Bersih activists are not happy that the "neutrality" of Bersih is being compromised once MCLM started announcing "nominees" comprising so-called "Malaysians of integrity" as candidates for GE13 -- the first being lawyer said to be esteemed by the community, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar. A first public forum scheduled for tomorrow (Dec 21, 2010) in KL will see the second MCLM candidate publicised.
Will Bersih2.0 leaders now make a policy decision with component-members like Haris and RPK who want to actively take part in partisan politics, however "independent" they claim to be? Just for the record, some key Bersih2.0 Steering Committee Members hereby listed:
1. Dato’ Ambiga Sreenavasan Chairperson of BERSIH. Former President of Malaysian Bar Council and a senior practising lawyer.
2. Andrew Khoo Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee, Malaysian Bar Council
3. Arumugam K. President of SUARAM, a well-known human rights organisation
4. Dr Farouk Musa President of the Islamic Rennaisance Front, a think tank promoting civilisational dialogue; a lecturer
5. Maria Chin Abdullah Executive Director of Empower, a women and human rights organisation and working for democratic governance.
6. Haris Ibrahim Founder of Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia, a citizen movement that fights corruption and racism; a human rights lawyer
:
:
:
I don't care what motivated RPK and Haris' latest move via MCLM, but I care if it threatens the people/Rakyat's concerted efforts to topple the BN-UMNO government in Putrajaya, which I contend MCLM's progress will despite the founders' and supporters' protestations to the contrary. ****
IF you want to lay an active role as NGO, let it be, just don't start this process of contesting GE13 directly or indirectly. Join former PKR deputy president aspirant Zaid Ibrahim -- Go sign up as a KITA member-lah, for a start -- that's surely a basic desideratum of infant entry into playing politics, is it not?
posted by desiderata
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AND MORE, from an olde post WHY I URGE MY ESTEEMED READERS "NOT" TO TRUST THIS GUY CALLED HARIS IB ANYMORE! I know it's "history" BUT
"MALAYSIANS, JANGAN MUDAH LUPA" so that you don't become UNWITTING VICTIMS OF TRAPS SET UP BY "the enemy within"! ~~ YL, Desi May 16, 2013
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As far as I am concerned, I DON'T!
When I could see through RPK from more than a year ago after noticing his change from pro-Opposition to singing praises of the UMNO leaders especially Najib Razak, whose wife RPK even had given the "IMPRESSION" was at the scene of Altantuya's murder, how could Haris act only now? Many would say: Give him the benefit of the doubt -- NO, Desi WON'T.
You ask WHY?
Here's the revealinglist displayed at Haris' blog called the People's Parliament, Right Hand Corner -- under
Pages
You can clealy see from the above that Haris and his obedientORsubservient-to-RPK tribe have been calling for
BOYCOTTING THE MSM. But they, RPK and Haris himself, featured prominently in the MSM like The Star and TV3 and NST last year, or maybe these two want to imitate the famed Dr Mahathir Mohamad:
Saya sudah lupa! (?) OR izzit
"Saya Mudah Lupa?" knowing that many Malaysians indeed have short memories -- luckily newsdogs not among them!
How convenient is the TIMING --RPKTgiving an exclusive interview to TV3 just before the Sarawak State Elctions?
Now, how again coincidental the right TIMING that fugitive blogger appears to give simultaneous interviews to mostly MSM like NST, Mingguan Utusan etc? Of course he gave a special interview to some bodek online portal (financed by one Datuk John Soh) -- all these TIMED when the GE13 is impending, with most speculation latest by April 2012!
Okay, let me background you a little after posting up theSun's report on Haris' resignation and extracting some other points from his own statement at PP:_
MCLM president Haris Ibrahim quits
Posted on 3 January 2012 - 05:29am
PETALING JAYA (Jan 3, 2012): Malaysian Civil Liberty Movement (MCLM) president Haris Ibrahim (pix) yesterday announced his resignation from the post, citing disappointment with recent controversial statements made by its chairman, exiled-blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin.
Haris in a blog post, claimed Raja Petra's statements, published in an interview with an English daily, had contradicted the ideals on which the movement was formed in late 2010.
Haris claimed Raja Petra had undermined the movement's mission to create a single, united society, when the latter told the paper that "the Egypt-style people’s revolution was not an answer for Malaysia due to the delicate racial balance. They (Chinese voters) don’t want Tahrir Square type of change".
"These comments just referred to greatly undermine efforts I am making, albeit through MLCM, in the 'Anything But Umno' initiative," Haris said, adding that he is saddened by the fact that Raja Petra should continue to see Malaysians as "Malays, Chinese, Indians, and Others".
"I remain committed to all efforts to see this a nation of a single people, all equal," he said.
Haris also denied that the movement had decided not to field any candidates in the upcoming general elections, despite Raja Petra claiming so in the same interview.
"Matters of policy and direction of MCLM were to be determined and made after mutual consultation and consensus between us. I can confirm now that no such decision has been made after due consultation," he said.
He added that it was impossible for him to continue to serve MCLM as its president, in light of the circumstances.
"I have communicated my resignation to (Raja Petra) by email," he said.
Despite being labelled a "third force" to rival Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat in the movement's early days, both Haris and Raja Petra had insisted that the movement was meant as a pro-rakyat force, intending to empower civil society and initiate change.
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Patience, OK, I will come back to serve my ER (esteemedreaders, not like RPK and his lapdogs who won't tolerate contrarian views from their sifu RPK, who they worship like a GOD without room for human flaws!
STAY TUNED
Continued @1.50PM:
I reprise here my own article that Malaysia Chronicle published slightly more than a year ago, which for the record, earned the great RPK's wrath, and led to a FACE-OFF with no less than four long blog and news online exchanges!:(
If outsiders looking in at MCLM from afar could see the "change in character" of the MCLM chairman hiding out in London, I wonder WHY it took Haris so long, flying in and out of Malaysia to London, Thailand and whatever holiday resorts (funded by UK philanthropists, Haris?) to realise RPK has his own "selfish" agenda? Even after the TV3 interview given last year, Haris and his band of diehard RPK supporters still did NOT see through his UMNO-led agenda?
Hey, Haris, you launched a boycott of mainstream media -- which must also include the Star and the TV3, no? -- and yet you found it beneficial to sell MCLM medicine to the Malaysian public who only wanted to see a two-party or two-coalition emerge in the GE13?
So Haris, what's your real agenda?
You compromised Bersih 2.0 with SABM representation but at the same time you and RPK wanted MCLM to play a poltical role -- anticipating a kingmaker role with a "hung Parliament" that RPK predicted?
I pray you do NOT also hijack ABU --Anything But UMNO (Asalkan Bukan UMNO) agenda along the way!Sunday, December 12, 2010
|
The knives are out for Anwar - Umno offers big money for his scalp |
I recently wrote an article thinking aloud why Raja Petra Kamarudin (RPK) the blogger now-in-exile in Britain has been writing some articles highly critical of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, especially regarding its de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, but I tempered my concern with giving benefit of the doubt to the blogger now resident abroad that he might have been misinformed or disinformed by his cronies back home including civil rights lawyer-cum-blogger Haris Ibrahim.
My main criticism was that RPK had always written promoting Reformasi from 1998, marked by his outstanding role of director of FreeAnwarCampaign (FAC), and generally working in concert with opposition parties and non-governmental organisations(NGOs) towards change in government at the federal level. But recent writings had given rise to concern he was giving lots of ammunition to the ruling BN regime, especialy UMNO, to attack the Pakatan Rakyat. And today's New Sunday Times proves again my point -- its page 9 report shows that following the departure of former PKR deputy presidential candidate Zaid Ibrahim, RPK has become the "flavour of the month" of the MSM.
In fact, most Malaysians long to see the birth of a two-party/coalition system in this country -- surely a central message sent by the March 8, 2008 General Elections (GE12)? My contention is that PR consisting of PKR, DAP and PAS, now form the only viable alternative coalition able to topple the BN government in Putrajaya, and hence must be given a chance to prove themselves. I add that any third force, however well-intentioned, would only become a new impediment to PR's march on Putrajaya.
I have mentioned Haris in tandem with RPK because their efforts in moving civil society often are inter-connected in timing, and objectives, but whether by design or in revision of stands, the duo are caught flat footed in their contradictions when promoting their preferred candidate to take over PKR Zaid Ibrahim, and curently The Third Force in Malaysian politics.
I clearly recall that RPK, in elaborating on the third force, had stressed that it's NEVER meant to field any canidates in the forthcoming general elections, especially the GE13. Using the public-listed companies as an analogy, he said the third force would act like an auditor, to check the listed company's accounts and watch out for discrepancies, or waywardness by its directors and management chiefs. One point I would ask: The listed companies always appoint their own auditors who are qualified for this role, but whose mandate are this third force using to self-appoint themselves as auditors to the three components of the PR?
In fact, in my earlier article I had quoted Haris as saying the third force -- now birthing as Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) in London -- had identified some 30 men/women of integrity to stand as candidates in GE13, and some 20 had agreed to stand, and they would want DAP and PKR to allow these candiadtes to stand under their party banner, according to a Star report dated Nov 17, 2010. I had questioned why would these well established parties with their own selection criteria privatise such an important role to outside parties. This stance was also restated by leaders like PKR strategy director Tian Chua besides Dr Syed Husin.
This Third Force is neither third nor force, according to just retired PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali. In fact he sarcastically shared at a mew conference in conjunction with recent party Congress a "revealing" episode, relating that preceding the March 2008 elections, a representation was made to him to allow a Third Force candidate to stand under PKR banner. Syed Husin knew of this "guy" candidate quite well, so he told off the backers that they should have done a thorough background check and would have found that their nominee was a regular pub-goer who often ended up drunk.
Let me now reproduce the NST report dated December 12, 2010 in full, and I reiterate that the headline itself again proved my point that RPK is providing grist to the MSM to attack PKR and PR frontally, with banner headlines likely to be used by the UMNO campaigners cometh GE13.
'Some PR reps not fit to walk a dog'
2010/12/12
KUALA LUMPUR: Raja Petra Kamaruddin has reiterated his disappointment at what he views as the lack of commitment to reforms by Pakatan Rakyat.
After virtually reprimanding his most recognisable political ally Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at a London political forum on Oct 2 for not honouring campaign promises, the fugitive blogger wrote in his latest blog posting: "But what is Pakatan Rakyat's excuse? Pakatan Rakyat talks about reforms. But what reforms are they themselves introducing?
"They demand that Barisan Nasional reform. Should not Pakatan Rakyat demonstrate what it means by reforms by first of all reforming itself?
"In a nutshell, this is what I mean when I say that the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) seeks to reform the political environment of Malaysia. Note that our target to push for reforms is not just Barisan Nasional but also Pakatan Rakyat.
"And I will continuously write about how things are done elsewhere and ask why we can't also do the same in Malaysia.
"And I will not accept the argument that we can't also do that because our skin is black, brown, cocoa or yellow and not white.
"It is not the external colour of our skin that determines advancement. It is our brain and how we utilise it that will."
At the Oct 2 Friends of Pakatan Rakyat Forum in London with Anwar, and now Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president Tian Chua, Raja Petra launched an attack on Pakatan's failure to implement "not a single one of the reform agenda contained in the People's Declaration".
He said this was an improved version of the Agenda of Change authored by Anwar in 1998.
According to Raja Petra, the People's Declaration was drawn up by what he termed as the civil society movement and was adopted by Pakatan parties as their manifesto for the March 2008 general election.
Three other non-Pakatan parties, too, embraced the People's Declaration, Raja Petra said.
He argued that the move and the spirited efforts of activists and bloggers like him had helped Pakatan gain seats. And now some 21/2 years after the election, not a single one of the reforms had been implemented.
As seen from the video recording of the event, Anwar had smiled approvingly when Raja Petra started addressing the forum but no longer smiled as the speech wore on.
Raja Petra offered not himself, but credible personalities from the civil society movement to be fielded as Pakatan candidates in the next general election.
As for some of the candidates fielded by Pakatan in 2008, Raja Petra, quoting his wife had said, "some of them, I can't even trust to walk my dog".
Raja Petra described them as an embarrassment.
(NST report ends here)
RPK asked in a reaction article to my piece titled
"Why RPK is acting out (of character)" asked "Have I really changed?", and in a partial reply, I just said we all as individuals "grow up" with passing years, and that only the person himself or herself (including this writer!) would be able to answer truthfully if he/she has changed characterwise or with respect to the causes he/she once championed. But today, a month later, I conclude that RPK, your struggle has indeed changed direction, and you are treating PKR, and Anwar, as the enemy bigger than BN-UMNO. WHY?
So today when I opened up the New Straits Times, I wasn't surprised by the page 9 lead item headline; totally in character with his previous Oct 13's header:
"Umno is Beginning to Look Better Than PKR"
So Pakatan Rakyat be forewarned that you would have to "review" your election strategies with the probable entry of MCLM or Third Force candidates, however you call them, now or revised because the promoters don't seem to know their directions and mandate. Maybe they will be strengthened by their well-linked ally Zaid Ibrahim-- in the next general elections?
The Rakyat/electorate must stay focused and united in rejecting a third, or fourth or fifth force; by contesting, they will only become "spoilers", siphoning off votes from the PR, hence benefiting the BN. Foremost on our mind must be to question where these sudden new forces get their monies from? Whose agenda are they really fighting for ?
Who are you to act like a SUPRA-GOVERNMENT BODY just because you have drawn up a People's Declaration via the People's Parliament via harisibrahim.com? Can an elite group meeting outside the country -- be it in London, Paris or Timbuktu, I care not -- totally a crowd of some 50 to 100 Malaysians carry the Malaysian fight for "A better Malaysia"? If you remain a cyber-voice writing pieces of concern for the homeland, I can live with that. But shortlisting candidates of impeccable character,playing a demi-god role? No, a BIG resounding No!
I end with a recollection of my criticism when it was made known that more than a decade ago, MCA leader Ng Yen Yen was a permanent resident of Australia when she was made a Senator. My stand then was,and still is, that I hold nothing against Malaysians having PR overseas, but I am firm that Yen Yen should NOT remain a Senator and continue to play active role in the country's politics as her loyalties were/are split. In fact, in passing, I too wrote a letter to the PM's Department too objecting to an Aussie PR being appointed as Editor-in-Chief of the Star, more or less on the same principle that one must not have any "conflict-of-interest" situation that often arises with high profile posts.
I too wish that Malaysians abroad who wish to play any significant role such as taking part in the country's elections by initiating or becoming Third Force candidates, or serving as a Cabinet minister, to return home to fight the battles. And help sincerely PR and the people's efforts to win the war for Putrajaya.
Why launch an MCLM in London, and announcing candidates to shove down the PR component parties throats? Maybe the BN regime under Najib Tun Razak will be more accomodating absorbing them -- hence the direct Barisan Nasional membership?
The UMNO leaders seem suddenly to become reform-minded, and so willing to co-opt Taiwan-returned graduate-rapper "Namewee" aka Wee Meng Chee -- why not also co-opt the 20 men of integrity nominated by Haris Ibrahim? I wonder if indeed we are seeing the emergence of The Third Force or The Third Farce?
- YL Chong is a reader and contributor to Malaysia Chronicle
**************************************************************UPDATEd @4.98PM (See how heART Desi works for his ER?:)
I will now extract the last portion of Malaysia Chronicle's article by Mathias Gomes and Stan Lee ~~ I quote from ..."The undressing of a false icon: RPK is coming home!"
Pakatan is stronger than you now, even the Umno bloggers are better than you now
If Anwar were not important, then why would Najib want to pay you so much or spend so much effort to get you to speak from his side. Why keep going after his arch rival Anwar? What is so great about Anwar if he is not really so great?
Also, sad to say despite the sensational interviews in the Malay newspapers, I don't think many Malaysians will be sidetracked from the NFC scandal, the UPSI police brutality and the Adam Adli protests or the January 9 Sodomy II verdict. The results will be the same. The people will hate Umno more because of Najib and Rosmah. In the end, it will not be Anwar who would have lost because of your interviews. It is you yourself, dear RPK, who has wagered and lost - lost badly.
No, my dear RPK, today you have bought your freedom and will be coming home soon. I think there is "udang sebalik batu" in your case, and I beg to differ when you just said you don't care about your detractors like me or what we think.
The sad truth is that people like Big Dog Zakhir Mohamad, Rocky's Bru Ahhrrudin Attan and even Parupu Kari or Papagomo are better people than you now, RPK. At least they stay true to their roots and not stoop so low that you can smell the shit in their pants.
Anyway wish you the best for old times sake, and goodbye to you and Malaysia Today.
Malaysia Chronicle