Of Hindraf, HRP and the so-called 3rd Force

The Free Malaysia Today reported that BN has “upstaged Pakatan Rakyat in wooing the outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf)” (read here).  It is said that there is also a movement towards forming a so-called 3rd Force after the BN and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) together with the Human Rights Party (HRP) and other civil rights movement particularly from Sabah and Sarawak.

All this makes for interesting political reading but is it feasible and plausible to embark on such a major feat?  What are the merits and how will the average Malaysian voter view this new political play?

Turn Your Eyes on Kuala Trengganu

January 17 is the next important date for Malaysians.  The Kuala Trengganu (KT) by-election has turned out to be another mother of by-elections so to speak.  The Parliamentary seat is now up for grabs and PAS has Abdul Wahid Endut against Umno’s Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh.

However, in light of the bigger picture, it is Pakatan Rakyat‘s advisor Anwar Ibrahim verses Barisan Nasional‘s Deputy President and Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.  This is a classic clash of the giants and much is at stake.  It is a Parliamentary seat as well as a moral victory for whichever party that wins it.  It may herald a new watershed of events and become a growing force of disenchantment against the Government or it can become a major stumbling block to a vision of replacing the Government.

Either way, this by-election has all the makings of a historic event.

Sarawak is Pivotal to BN and PR

Ever since Anwar won the Pematang Pauh by-elections, Pak Lah has kept Taib close to him.  Pak Lah knows Sarawak is the last bastion for the BN that cannot shake lest it sounds the death knoll for 50 over years of rule.

It was rumored that Pak Lah flew from Penang to JB to meet with Taib on the early evening of the Pematang Pauh election day when Pak Lah knew that the constituency was a lost cause.

For a while, Anwar had tried to quietly woo Taib and other component parties in Sarawak but to no particular success.  Taib knows his position and understands the peculiar position Sarawak plays in the possible fall of BN and the possible rise of PR.  It’s Sarawak that will tip the scales either way.

Even now, Sarawak, not Sabah, remains the crucial tipping point

Countdown to September 16

UPDATED 16/09 @ 9:00 am

Yesterday night was electrifying. Today? More on D-DAY SEPTEMBER 16 here.

1 day to go – It was the eve of Malaysia Day. The mood was upbeat. The moment the National Anthem “Negara Ku” was sung, the atmosphere became electrifying. It was the Pakatan Rakyat celebration of Malaysia Day and filled with speeches from leaders of the PR. Notable was Lim Guan Eng, Kamaruddin Jaafar and Anwar.

It was anticipated as an historic event by the Opposition bloc and the turnout was exceptional. More than

The tens of thousands who went to hear Anwar waving the Malaysian flags

20,000 thronged the stadium peacefully to hear what Anwar has to say about “916“. Each of the PKR, DAP and PAS leaders that spoke referred to Anwar as the “PM in waiting“.

Kit Siang referred to it as a “sky changing” event. Guan Eng pointed out that never has a BN minister resigned not because he was ill or involved in a personal scandal but Zaid Ibrahim was applauded as one that has his principle to stand against the misuse of ISA. Furthermore, he chided those BN ministers who only dare whisper their dissent and challenged them to do what Zaid has done – QUIT, if it goes against their principles, don’t just talk!

Kamaruddin underscored the fact that September 16 will show much clarity on concrete steps of change, not necessary the very change of government itself. He alluded to the points that PR has what it takes to become the next government and Malaysians will learn more tomorrow.

More importantly was Anwar’s much awaited announcements. What does September 16 bring to Malaysians tomorrow?

Anwar and September 16 – A date with hope?

Anwar had the audacity to link September 16 (Malaysia Day) with his political agenda for the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to assume the mantle to form the new government of Malaysia.  The critical link is Anwar’s ability to obtain committed support from at least 30 MPs to join Pakatan Rakyat in some way.  The SMS rumors are rife.  The speculations are growing.  The BN Backbenchers Club (BNBC) are “inviting” all “interested” 75 member MPs to a study trip possibly down under (Australia or better still Timbuktu) with a return date of September 17.  Arguably the coincidence of coincidences and rated a better coincidence than the timing of Saiful swearing.

The Malaysian Insider has reported that Pak Lah is not wanting to give Anwar the opportunity to form a new government by September 16 and stressed that this BNBC study trip has nothing to do with his intention to block Anwar which seems to make this action a total joke.  Read here for the report.

Does the date of September 16 really matters? What do you think?  What does Anwar think?  Read

Malaya Merdeka! What about Sarawak & Sabah?

Today is 31 August, commonly referred to as Hari Merdeka or Independence Day.  What is not commonly understood by most people is that 31 August is actually Malaya Independence Day when Tunku Abdul Rahman together with the rest of the founding fathers of various communities gained independence from British Rule for Malaya.  This is West Malaysia today.

So, we are really commemorating the 51st year of independence for Malaya or West Malaysia.  Happy Merdeka Day!  So where does East Malaysia fit in?  Did somebody forget that they are part of Malaysia?  Why is it that Merdeka Day which is Malaya Independence Day celebrated as if it was for all Malaysia?  What about Sarawak and Sabah?

A New Government – Is it even possible? A Sarawak-Sabah Affair

After Pematang Pauh – Anwar has long been talking about September 16 and the formation of a new government by having at least 30 MPs to crossover from BN to PR.  Certainly, this is easier said than done and many people find it hard to believe if this can be pulled off.  However, you must certainly give Anwar the credit for his audacity to dare call for a change in Government.  Unlike Mahathir, Anwar has taken his first step into Parliament with a resounding victory last night at Pematang Pauh by-election.  Mahathir will remain commenting on the sideline outside of Umno.

What Does Anwar Need?