Two independent candidates backed by the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) of which he is the chairman today announced their withdrawal from the candidacy and their disassociation with the movement.
The two are prominent lawyer and National Human Rights Society president, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, and human rights lawyer, Sreekant Pillai.
The duo’s resignation comes barely a day after MCLM’s president, Haris Ibrahim, stepped down. All three attributed their decision to the recent interviews given by Raja Petra, better known as RPK, to selected media.
In the interviews, the popular blogger declared Anwar “unfit” to be the next prime minister, alluded that the latter was guilty of the sodomy charge and expressed certainty that Anwar was the man featured in the sex video.
He also said that MCLM would not be fielding any candidates for the 13th general election, a statement that Haris said had never been discussed within the movement.
In a blog posting this afternoon Malik clarified that while he had never been a MCLM member he had nevertheless committed to working for the the movement to further the reform agenda.
He explained that his agreement to stand as an independent candidate hinged on his satisfaction that there was a cause for it.
Malik also emphasised that he continued to believe that Pakatan Rakyat was pivotal in any campaign reform and had resolved to stand only where there wouldn’t be a three-corner fight.
“Much has occurred since the announcement of the initiative,” he said. “For one, Pakatan appeared to commit to a sustained effort to identify and field quality candidates.”
“For another, Raja Petra felt it necessary to state his personal views as he did, in an interview with TV3 last year and recently in interviews published in the New Straits Times and Utusan Malaysia.”
Undermined MCLM’s credibility
While Malik refrained from delving into RPK’s recent statements, he stated that they had cast a less than positive light on MCLM in so far as its commitment to principle was concerned.
He also added that he did not share RPK’s views which were entirely personal to the latter and not belonging to MCLM.
“Raja Petra had however allowed the impression that he spoke on behalf of MCLM and in his capacity as chairman of the movement,” Malik pointed out. “That is regrettable as it is an impression that has undermined the credibility of the MCLM and its efforts.”
“It has also undermined the tremendous efforts of a number of highly committed and selfless individuals in their untiring efforts to develop various civil society initiatives under the banner of MCLM.”
Malik reiterated that it was for this reason that he and Sreekant had decided to disassociate themselves from the movement and withdraw from the independent candidate initiative.
“I wish to state that my decision to remain independent of any political parties and to stand as a candidate was mine and mine alone,” he said. “It has been some years since Raja Petra and I have spoken and he has not in any way influenced any of my decisions.”
This had left MCLM with only one endorsed candidate, Dr Nedunchelian Vengu, who earlier announced that he would still be contesting the Kapar seat as a Barisan Rakyat Independent Candidate.
1 comment:
Malaysia first or Islam first?
Recently 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. Even in India, to this very day, some of the best schools and hospitals were established by Christian missionaries; we need one nation, two systems or one nation several systems in Malaysia. In fact "one nation, several systems" is the best way to administer Malaysia. China is a good model for one nation with two systems for Malaysians to emulate. I hope the Sabahans will lead the way and the rest of Malaysia will emulate the one nation many systems way, using China as a model.
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.
As regards to Islamic history, let's be honest about it. There are those who have branded Prophet Mohamed a demon possessed pedophile. As a matter of fact, none of the old books, namely Torah, Buddhist scriptures, the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita, etc. can be adhered to today. It is a changing world. It is a evolving world. Please visit a library or book store and you would see many new books written within the last one hundred years. New books are sufficient; we do not need old ancient books. Try new books.
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.
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