(The Nation) - Former Malaysia's deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim marked his return to active politics on Monday night by claiming that the Pakatan Rakyat could easily form the next government.
However, he said the tripartite coalition of opposition parties would only do so provided it had a healthy majority, instead of a majority of only "two or five seats," according to the New Straits Times online.
Speaking after attending a rally at the Sultan Sulaiman Club by Parti Keadilan Rakyat to welcome him back, he said: "We are saying here for the first time that we are ready (to rule the country). But we will only enter when the majority is comfortable."
The de-facto leader of PKR said, however, that Pakatan Rakyat would not pay Barisan Nasional MPs to cross over in order to achieve its aims of forming the federal government.
"We are not in a hurry," he said, adding that any Pakatan Rakyat's decision would be reached in a democratic manner.
Posted by Raja Petra
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
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2 comments:
OPPOSITION TO FORM A GOVERNMENT??? I think this is wishful thinking by Anuar. He may have a honeymoon period in politics - just as Pak Lah did 2 GE ago. However, by the time the next election comes about all the failings in PKR, DAP and PAS and/or their fragile coalition will show. The opposition's improved performance in the last GE is an outcome of the ruling party's weaknesses rather than the opposition's strength (hence the surprise). The win just gives time for the opposition to show the people who they truly are - a coalition of convenience who’s only shared vision is to topple the current government.
Between themselves there are (1)no common/shared vision (PAS has its own Islamic agenda, PKR is a secular party and the DAP is fully for secularism and terminating the recognition of the special position of the Malays);(2)too big egos existing within the coalition (all party heads will want to be the Big Head); (3) all parties in the coalition are equal (too much equality can be bad).
Are the opposition so naive as to think that BN is so weak that it will just crumble in the next election???
The BN is not only a political giant but also an economic powerhouse. On top of that - how many Malay voters now (after seeing the result of the GE)think that they have made a mistake especially after seeing the lack of consideration for the Malays (by the DAP) and realizing the erosion of the Malay political power? And how long will this coalition of convenience of the opposition last???
I am a supporter of any party that champions Malay rights (and so UMNO by default) for one reason - that they are the champions of the Malay rights and are the bastion of Malay political power. Because of them - a Malays today can still say "INI TANAH MELAYU". Does any other political party dare to say that they are the champions of Malay rights??? If some other party dares to do this - I will consider them as an alternative.
For that reason alone - all Malays should and must support UMNO. Whether the leadership is weak or you do not like or agree with the leader - do not forget the struggle and the vision of the party. Support and embrace the struggle and not the person.
If true - dishonesty or nepotism or other real causes of dissatisfaction in UNMO exists within the leadership - things will, in its natural course change. It may take time but it will happen sooner or later. There is no perfect person and this world is not perfect. Learn to accept that.
There is another reasons for my support - History tells us if a majority race is sidelined and lack behind in economic and/or political arena, the consequences are devastating. Look at the anti Chinese riots in Indonesia, similar riots in Burma (now Myanmar) in the past just to name a few. There are many other examples.
For those who do not share my views, please take a trip to Jakarta or any part of Indonesia and go to the malls (high end) and restaurants. You will see that generally only tourists and Chinese are able to afford to shop or eat there.
If Jakarta is too far - then I suggest you go to any mall in Malaysia and count the number of Chinese owned businesses to the Malay businesses. Compare the size of their shops. Ask yourself - where lies the economic power in Malaysia??
Also take a little time to look at the new housing developments (middle class and above) and ask the developer - how many Malay buyers are there?? I am confident that they will say that it is much less than 50%.
Then ask yourself what would have happened if the Malays do not have the political dominance when all these are happening in spite of the Malays having political dominance. What if the Malays lose it?? Will tere be riots??? Are we prepared to risk that??
So to all my fellow Malays - I believe one should embrace the struggle and not the man/person. If you truly believe in secularism and equal rights - then no one (especially not me) will stop you from embracing the opposition. But think of the consequence of your support and future votes to those Malays who will feel their effects. The playing field is not level and do not let the ideas of equal rights influence your view of the real world.
To my non Malay friends, this comment is not intended to be anti Chinese or anti Indian. It is meant to highlight the dangerous consequence of the majority (Malays) being sidelined in economic and political arena.
The course I choose is the lesser of the two evils - to be labeled as unfair to the advantage of one race or to risk instability. I would rather take the earlier.
a good comment. Congratulation..You are truly malaysian. True malaysian are those who fight for the right of others too. As you said, "Because of them - a Malays today can still say "INI TANAH MELAYU". Does any other political party dare to say that they are the champions of Malay rights??? If some other party dares to do this - I will consider them as an alternative." You have the point here but it is not an absolute. The others to may say, ini "tanah Kadazandusun, ini tanah Iban", etc. Anyone has the right to say that but, It is here that we all failed to be true malaysian. Racism is the enemy of unity. The soil on earth that we live on is not absolutely belong to one race forever. God put you and me here on malaysian soil just for temporary. Our purpose is unity, love and peace.Unity in diversity and not uniformity, not uni-race, do not say, ini "tanah saya", but ours. fight also for the right of others, live according to the golden rule..and God loves u for this
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