KTemoc Konsiders
I read three pieces of really bad news for Najib. As I once explained to a sweetie (who incidentally no longer loves me, sob!), good things come in 'threes', and not from 'trees' as she had believed. These are of course ‘good things’ for Pakatan, but bad news to a very tired Najib who was forced to take up residence in Sarawak during the last 10 days of hectic election campaigning, thanks to his campaign director, Muhyiddin wakakaka.
The first goodie is Lim Kit Siang’s call today for DAP and SNAP to merge.
It’s a brilliant idea because the merger will allow a debilitated SNAP to enjoy DAP support, organizational powers and discipline approach to election campaigning. For example, DAP had prepared for the Sarawak state elections months and months ahead, unlike Azmin Ali’s PKR which thought waltzing in to make a grand entrance at the last moment, coupled with a preemptive stake claim of 52 seats, was adequate for the Wunder Party under the presidential campaign direction of Anwar’s Wunderkind (Wonder Child).
Even the DAP mascot of the Ubah hornbill was carefully selected eons ago, with orders for its production in China obviously made well ahead of the election. Training its candidates and members for the campaign was part of its attention to details, which proved vital to its success.
The DAP brand is today a recognized symbol of political courage, resoluteness and justice which many Sarawakians have come to view with confidence. It would greatly benefit SNAP if their leaders are prepared to make use of it. Even PAS which didn't win any seats realized in their post-mortem they should have made known to the Sarawakians that a vote for PAS was equivalent to a vote for DAP - they were informed by their supporters that many Saawakians voting in their constituencies didn't recognize the 'moon' party symbol but were looking instead for the 'rocket' (which of course was not there on the ballot paper).
In turn, DAP will of course enjoy SNAP's historical connection with the Sarawak heartland, which will help accelerate its presence among the Ibans and other native groups.
I'm delighted that Lim KS has stretched out the DAP's hands to SNAP. It’s a win-win situation for both parties, but which will send a chill down Najib’s spine. I’m particularly sympathetic to SNAP and the Ibans, so here’s an agi idup agi ngelaban to the SNAP members.
The second goodie but again an unpleasant piece of news for poor Najib is contained in the erudite analysis of the election by Malaysiakini correspondent Bridget Welsh. In her article The myths of S'wak polls results, Welsh dismissed the outrageous nonsense by Dr Mahathir of a Chinese racist ‘revolt’ via the ballot box.
According to her, there had been significant, in fact quite earth-shaking swings across the ethnic divides to Pakatan, notably in the Bidayuh and Orang-Ulu majority constituencies. The swings were (rounded up) 20%, 15% and 13.5% respectively in the semi-rural, rural and urban constituencies, thus indicating a far greater swing in the so-called BN heartland than in the urban (Chinese-majority) constituencies. Eat that, Tun.
Thus Welsh assessed that: “The 'safe' seats in the urban periphery are no longer 'safe'. The change in voting pattern reflected not just Chinese support for Pakatan, but Iban and Bidayuh support as well. In fact, what is especially interesting is that the movement in support in rural areas is more than the share in urban areas (although it is important to note that the urban areas have more voters)."
She said the only reason why Pakatan didn’t win more semi-rural seats despite the 20% swing towards them was due to the minuscule support for Pakatan prior to 2011, where it required a 40% swing for the opposition to win. But the 20% swing is still significant in any language, Iban, Malay or Chinese. The frightening outlook for Najib is that the seismic shift has already started. The general election in (latest by) 2013 may see realization of the full effect of a continuing swing towards Pakatan. I believe that both halo and bandwagon effect will help.
She also offered an ominous warning to the BN, stating: "More than anything, these findings point illustrate how much the 'fixed deposit' is no longer secure. Semi-rural and rural cracks in BN support are part of the new Sarawak, a more competitive polity that has become increasingly receptive to a stronger two-party system and critical of BN governance, especially in the areas of corruption."
Welsh noticed the swing to be greatest among the youth of Sarawak, the growing segment of voters for the future. There'll be more of these 18-year olds by 2013. I wonder whether this observation has triggered Najib’s hastily cobbled together 1Malaysia free email offer to the youth?
So no matter what Dr Mahathir has spun sinisterly on his blog, perhaps to re-marshal his pack or to vent his personal frustration at the Chinese Sarawakians or DAP, the facts on the Sarawak ground tells a different story, an unpleasant one which no doubt must have shaken Najib enormously.
from Malaysia Today
2nd Story.
Holly week in Sarawak
Easter prayer for Sarawak and her citizens I am writing this on Holy Week – a time for Christians to think, feel and be holy. It’s one week when Christians should be most charitable, give alms, be exceptionally kind and generous, speak no evil against others and avoid sin at all costs.
Easter marks the end of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week, and it contains Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Easter Sunday commemorates the Resurrection of the Lord. Easter is followed by a 50-day period called Eastertide or the Easter Season, ending with Pentecost Sunday.
To the Catholic Church, Easter is considered the most important feast in its calendar. In Malaysia, Christmas is more synonymous with Christianity but for Christians, it is Easter which takes precedence over Christmas.
The foundation of the Christian faith is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On Easter Sunday therefore, while secular society occupies itself with eggs and rabbits, the Christian church celebrates God’s great triumph over sin, death, and the devil with the ancient greeting: Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Good Friday has been a public holiday for Sarawak and Sabah for decades because of the large Christian population in the two states.
Perhaps it should also be a public holiday in Peninsular Malaysia too as more and more Malaysians have embraced the Christian faith.
It’s coincidental that the aftermath of the Sarawak election saw the entry of Holy Week. Many politicians in the state are Christians and by and large, most have attempted to keep the week holy with little mudslinging in public and venom spewing against each other. We only hear of minor disagreements among political parties and the normal allegations of electoral fraud which is not too bad.
I think that all Christian politicians should call a truce and refrain from attacking each other during Easter Week. What is wining or losing a seat and holding a public post compared to the ultimate sacrifice of the Saviour and Lord who gave His life and died on the Cross to redeem all mankind.
For politicians, there is an election in every five years when you can have another shot at getting elected again. For Jesus, He did not have a second chance. His was the ultimate sacrifice.
Many may be disappointed with the results of the just-concluded Sarawak election. There are also others who are basking in glory in their victory and new-found status.
Whatever it is, it may be prudent to remind all those elected not to think too highly of themselves now that they have been elected as state assembly members. The key word for them to remember is that they are ‘people’s representatives’. In other words, they are elected to serve the people, they are actually servants of the people – the people who voted for them are the bosses, not those elected.
So to the new YBs, let me say this to you: Do not get cocky or be a show-off. There is no need to attempt to live up to your new status by building a big house or buying a flashy car. There is no need to sign up to be a member of a few exclusive clubs or travel first-class. Just live your life as usual, be yourself and don’t lose your head.
I know of a few opposition MPs in West Malaysia who now turn up at functions in a chauffer-driven Mercedes. Previously, they used to hang around mamak stalls enjoying teh tarik with all and sundry. There are also others seen regularly at exclusive golf clubs. Surely, there is no necessity to be so ‘showy’. Becoming a YB should make one more humble, not the other way round.
Well, I wish to start my Easter Vigil today with a thought for the newly elected YBs to stay on course and live up to their duties and responsibilities as elected representatives.
Let us be mindful that we live in a blessed land that was founded on a Constitution based on biblical principles and principles of a belief in God and a belief that the truth will set men free.
On this Christian feast, it is important to pray that every man, woman and child would have the opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as their saviour.
Let us all humbly encourage all citizens of faith to turn to God so that we may open our hearts in thanksgiving for the blessings we received and to seek strength, wisdom, and encouragement to build a better Sarawak for all.
Sarawak has a rich Christian history and what a gift it is to know that God has blessed us with the right to pray, teach and practice our beliefs in this great home land of ours.
We also pray for those who lead and govern us that God may fill them with wisdom and courage to rule in a fair and just manner.
Finally, let us pray for the strength to continue to stand boldly against tyranny, corruption and abuse of power. We must never forget that our democratic rights are given by God and that they are hated by unfaithful men.
Lord, bless Sarawak and bless all her good citizens.
