Musing about election year..

Permas Jaya is basically a battle ground between PAS and UMNO. Basically, we all know that UMNO is expected to win-Johor is a BN stronghold after all.

But if I could vote, I would vote…

…PAS! Just for the sheer audacity of it. But seriously, what is preventing a Christian from voting a Muslim MP? Come to think of it, having separate lines for men and women at the checkout counter is not as ‘bad’ as the mainstream media would insinuate it to be. Nowadays, the younger PAS MPs are not that much more ‘radical’ than your average UMNO MP.

I recall reading members of some PAS youth wing helped keep order during the BERSIH rally last year. They helped control the crowd, watch out for trouble makers and even….pick up the trash. Definately did a better job than the police, thank you very much!

(The younger me would gall at what I’m writing now, but that’s the point, I’m not my younger me anymore.)

I think that statements like,”Chinese will not vote for PAS.” will soon be used in history textbooks and not in tomorrow’s political analysis. If the younger PAS leaders can show that the brand of Islam they believe in can govern a country, votes will come. These are changing times in Malaysia-tomorrow’s Malaysia votes for the party that delivers…actually delivers, and outward trappings-race, religion, secular, liberal, conservative, right or left counts for less.

In many ways we are like America. Cynicism in politics, burdened by cliche’s we cannot seem to go beyond (BN vs Opposition, Republican vs Democrats), crime and leaders who refuse to see their mistakes. (Bush’s war in Iraq compares with Badawi’s war on corruption although arguably, GW Bush seems to have more success.)

You may never know, but 8/3/08 may be history in the making. Much like November is America’s turn to make history.

(I give my predictions for the American presidential elections: Obama will win the Democratic nomination but lose the White House to John McCain. Reason: Policy-wise Clinton and Obama are almost the same, but Obama’s age and charisma give him the final edge. However, Americans generally vote with their heads, not with their emotions. In my reckoning, McCain’s policies may actually be more workable than Obama’s liberal ideals. The fact that he (McCain) has had past clashes with the extreme right shows that he is flexible-a quality not to be confused with complicity. Anyone want to take that bet with me?)

Malaysia leh? BN retains 2/3 majority, DAP retains traditional power bases, PKR and PAS biggest gainers. Kelantan remains with PAS, Kedah and Terengganu falls to PAS. Penang (sorry to say) will still go to BN, and UMNO will make serious inroads there. Biggest losers will be MCA and MIC-which is a good thing actually, they will be forced to evaluate their cosiness with UMNO and hopefully evem consider pulling out of BN.

I’m not too concerned with UMNO solidifying their grip on power. They don’t have the full Malay support they claim to have and since the opposition will gain plenty more seats this time round, they have less chance of bullying their way in Parliament any longer. Although Badawi will still become PM, his influence has been irreversibly damaged. Who cares whether KJ wins in Rembau (it’s safe, and hence insignificant) or not, his father-in-law’s days are numbered. I expect Najib to take over by the next term (2013)-he has been in the papers a lot hasn’t he?

I’m post dating this post 9/3/08 so that it stays on top. Let’s see how accurate my predictions are.

I, the President.

I read this interview with a tinge of sadness. Like being unable to have the proverbial cake and eat it, you can’t have your political ideals and political position at the same time-at least in Asia.

As I leave he presents me with a clock inscribed “from the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan”. It seems an inauspicious gift from a man whose time may be up. He shakes my hand. “It will be the saddest day for Pakistan if Benazir’s crooked widower is in power by Monday,” I say. As the President walks away, he looks back. “At least we part on agreement.”

You’ll have to read the entire piece to understand the last paragraph.

It does make me try to draw comparisons between Pakistan and Malaysia. Perhaps even between Badawi and Musharraf. Maybe Badawi also has the same distaste with dealing with the corrupt BN politicians. Maybe he has always wanted to do good on his 2004 election promises, but unable to.

But I don’t think so. Arguably Musharraf is a greater leader than our sleepy-head of a PM. Certainly the President has faced far more security threats in his volatile country than the meek protest of flower carrying children-which Badawi tenderly returned with water cannons, tear gas and an arrogant dismissal.

No, I don’t think there is any room of comparison. Musharraf would make an interesting political science study; Badawi’s legacy will quickly be washed out with his ebbing political tide.

What a load of b*ll..

Quoted from Bernama, the Malaysian National news agency,

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 (Bernama) — The decision to use the Internal Security Act (ISA) on the five people behind the illegal assemblies in the federal capital last month, is what the people want, said Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin.
BULLSHIT!

Delivered

I got an email from Haris Ibrahim.

So our signatures have finally been delivered to the Agong.

I’ll be praying that it makes a difference. Hopefully His Majesty does what needs to be done.