KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 — A PAS leader today cast suspicion over Perkasa’s apparent indelible ink fear and boycott threat, asking if the Malay rights group was planning electoral fraud in the general election. “Why are they worried? Are they planning to get involved in double-voting?” Kuala Krai MP Dr Hatta Ramli asked today.
Hatta, who also sits on the parliamentary select committee for electoral reforms, added that Perkasa’s remark on the issue yesterday was otherwise baffling and “makes no sense”.
In a statement here, Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Ali had warned the administration that the Malays would boycott the coming polls if the Election Commission (EC) proceeds with plans to use the indelible ink.
The leader had also said he, along with many other Perkasa members, would likely avoid the polls as well, adding that the push to use the ink was a ploy by those who knew its implementation would discourage the Malays from voting.
“It makes no sense. Why would the Malays not vote? Is the ink dirty?” Hatta asked.
“I would suggest to them to think about it again (coming out to vote). You have nothing to lose by using the ink but it could surely deter anybody from committing fraud in the polls and that is a move forward,” he said.
Hatta also pointed out to Perkasa that avoiding the polls would result in the election of a government they may oppose to.
“So don’t blame others if someone you do not like gets voted into government,” he said.
Hatta, who is also a strong advocate of Bersih 2.0’s electoral reforms demands, reminded Perkasa that the decision to use the indelible ink was born out of public pressure.
He said the PSC, which was formed following widespread backlash against the Najib administration after Bersih 2.0’s July 9 rally, had taken into consideration the views of numerous parties before agreeding on using the ink.
“The indelible ink is the best way to prevent double-voting,” he said.
Malaysia first or Islam first?
ReplyDeleteRecently the Malaysian King, the Agung, emphasized on the special position of Islam in Malaysia. That’s not the point. The point is, which comes first, Malaysia or Islam? Rightly, Malaysia comes first and foremost. Always, Malaysia comes first. Is the Agung aware of this? If they choose Islam first, then…………..
If they choose Islam first, then it is time for all non-Muslim Malaysians to give strong moral support to the Philippine’s claim to Sabah. Philippines is a non-Muslim nation; and therefore all non-Muslim Malaysians should give moral support to the Philippine claim to Sabah.
Malaysia first or Islam first?
The Islamic scriptures allows for slavery. Islam is not egalitarian.
In addition, we need to know more about the Malay Regiment. Again, Malaysia first or Islam first?Does the Malay Regiment put Islam first or Malaysia first? The Malay Regiment has to choose between Malaysia first or Islam first because they cannot have both. The Islamic scriptures allows for slavery. All Malaysian citizens have to put Malaysia first.
At the global level, both Mandarin language and English will compete for influence. It is often a numbers game; and believe me that China with more than a billion people has an advantage in any numbers game. May be Chinese English will eventually be tolerated world-wide. (I define Chinese English as L1 interference English). Since China has a growing economy and more than 1 billion people, it would eventually be hard to avoid L1 interference English; and we also have to tolerate code-switching by bi-lingual and tri-lingual speakers. The Chinese Malaysians should make sure that Mandarin medium schools grow in Malaysia.
By the way, the indigenous people of Malaya are the Orang Asli, not Malays. The Orang Asli are not even mentioned in the Constitution. Furthermore, another person who should hold his tongue and stop making comments is Dr.Chandra Muzzafar. Dr.Chandra Muzzafar has no influence among Malaysian Indians. If Dr.Chandra Muzzafar does make any comments, please ignore it.
The bottom line is that, no matter who says what, the future is that with every passing day both China and India are growing socially, politically, and economically. I don't care who says what; and I don't care who does what. Nothing can change the fact that with every passing day both China and India are strengthening socially, politically, and economically. That's it. The bottom line is the bottom line.