I am normally politically neutral. However during these coming GE13 elections, I am compelled to choose a side to support.
Factor 1: Najib and His Antics
Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Najib has been embroiled in many issues and alleged scandals, namely
- Scorpene submarines that can’t submerge
- mysterious death of a Mongolian lady Altantuya, killed using army-grade explosives
- money politics claim by Abdul Kadir, who is ex UMNO member
- lavish spending by his wife, prompting allegations of illegal income
- increasing national debt while dishing out financial goodies such as BR1M
I believe that someone else in Malaysia can do a significantly better job as Prime Minister than him.
Factor 2: BN Negative Politics
Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib bin Mahmud, Chief Minister of Sarawak, at an international media and environment summit in 2005. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
BN has embarked on a political campaign that borders on absurdity:
- a political manifesto that copies from Pakatan Rakyat. It is clear that BN copies some points such as reducing the price of cars (I don’t support lying politicians. They should have acknowledged this suggestion by Pakatan Rakyat)
- endorsing extremist politicians like people from PERKASA such as Ibrahim Ali and Zuklifi Noordin
- not cooperating with BERSIH
- not showing sufficient effort in investigating major corruption cases such as the one involving Sabah’s CM Musa Aman and Sarawak’s CM Taib Mahmud
- gross misrepresentation in mass media which is controlled by BN and friends
- EC and ROS taking actions benefiting BN
- ill-thought campaigning tactics such as hiring scantily dressed singers to perform, giving out free dinner, promising development money in exchange for votes, advertising skills in singing, lewd videos distribution, heckling other parties’ political speech
BN are shooting themselves in their feet. I don’t endorse such type of politics. Any morally upright Malaysian will support their political competitor.
Factor 3: PR Politics of Hope
English: Anwar Ibrahim Türkçe: Enver İbrahim (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
PR has done quite well in their political strategy so far.
- unveiling clear aims in their manifesto
- pursuing reconcilation – Anwar spoke about forgiving Mahathir
- stellar governance record in Penang and Selangor
- promise of focus on education, press freedom, information freedom and combating corruption
No one can say for sure if the country will be better under the rule of PR. However, PR people have been saying and acting the right way so far in general.
Choosing A Side
Clearly BN should not be given another 5 years to rule. PR should be given a chance to rule for the next 5 years. Furthermore, PR has been treated unfairly in many ways by BN which yield huge control over national instruments such as TV1, 2 and 3 and major newspapers.
These are people who spend time and effort to bring positive change to the people. And now they are competing in the elections under unfair conditions. Why don’t we balance the playing field for PR by helping them?
The Sarawak Spirit 