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I think it is appropriate for them to boycot in this case. Even Dr Mahathir is able to present proper evidence for such dirty tectics.

sadly such manipulation kills democracy.

I remember once that when Najib won his election last time, the number of undi rosak is far more than the vote difference... something fishy right?

One question, when will ACA take action?

Basikal+kuncirumahkosrendah+biasiswa+baja=menangundi

What is the point? Does it mean as long as the people are going to accept such vote-buying, PAS will never take part in election?

C'mon... the problem lies with the people. EC and UMNO are dirty, so what? Everybody knows that. But these people get dirty because the voters succumb to such bait.

Come GE, EC and UMNO will still be the same. So? Don't take part lah!

another loss for democracy, another win for BN.

Sieg Heil!

I mean, urm...congrats to Pak Lah.

I'd say don't accuse without evidence.

We have internet now. Give evidence of UMNO handing out money to voters, then only you boycott or even nullify the results.

like they say - get the evidence of dirty dealings, vote buying etc. Then be brave enough to do the necessary. Boycotting an election is the response of people who know they haven't anything to offer even if they do win a protest vote. To remove the opportunity for voters to make their choice goes completely against the concept of democracy. Even if there are more spoilt votes than those cast for either candidate, the voters have had a chance to speak.
Please don't try to score cheap political points this way. You gain nothing - no seat, and certainly no respect. And even worse, the 'winner' by default can then strut around crowing that he (or she) won because the people knew BN was the only choice, and no-one dared stand against the mighty BN.

i fully agree with LLtwigs. like boycotting would make any difference!

why not do it the proper way, you know the memorandum, the parliament etc etc. boycotting would not do people at the grassroots any good. at least i dont think it will.

the opposition is just giving the BN an upper hand. i dont think they would freak out even a bit with this boycott. instead, they would surely play this issue to their advantage. they always have, and they surely will.

This is not anything against PAS or supporting UMNO. What PAS is doing is really lame.

There is only one possible perception for PAS' decision: PAS CHICKENED OUT!

It's more honorable to be defeated in the battlefield than to cry injustice hiding behind your fort's wall.

Are you saying the rakyat cannot make their own minds and fall for UMNO's money? Well, if that's true... you better get your pockets filled before you even think of running; cuz Msians are the voters and they vote for whoever pays them more.

No amount of your crying and wailing of injustice is going to help if you hide.

You push the rakyat to the battlefield and shout from the back, "Look..see how dirty the enemies are! Get them to behave first. Then we come in."

Folks

The EC is a political tool of UMNO. Has always been.

Its so-called independence is well-known joke around the country.

Only a fool believes that the EC is independent and non-political.

A boycott of the election is a correct one.

The impact would be greater is the FEDERAL General Election is totally boycotted by ALL OPPOSITION PARTIES.

A hollow victory for Barisan Nasional means the BN_Govt has no international standing. This option should be considred is the EC is not totally reformed and be seen to be independent and non-partisan. Its current membership should be dissolved and reconstituted under the full multi-party mandate of Parliament.

Otherwise, the full boycott of the Federal General Election should be put on the table.

What message PAS is sending to EC and UMNO is essentially this:

"As long as you are using money and dirty tactics, we are going to let you win."

Not big thinkers.

"...full boycott of the Federal General Election should be put on the table..."

By law, BN will rule anyway. What is the point?

Why don't all the opposition find a common ground and divide this whole thing into Republican vs Democrats like battle?

Argh.. I almost forgot.. Islamic Blueprint.

Corruption in this country is more scary than the US's nuclear bombs.

Imagine, TDM was 'idolized like god' once upon a time and then lost in Kubang Pasu polls barely two years later. Reason..money politics!

How to make UMNO cleans up their dirty act ya?

Hi

Just a thought as a member of the public. With the boycott, now I do not have the chance to exercise my vote if I want to vote for the opposition! With the current political situation, BN and opposition will go all out for this win. Including using RM and etc.

But I would like my voice to be heard. How do I exercise my basic right in a democratic country given the current situation? We need more transparency, more accountability and more able LEADERS!

In some country, voters join the boycott, leading to low turnout.

For a start, boycotting the by-election is a correct move by the opposition. This shows the solidarity of the United opposition and is a clear message to the masses that finally, a united opposition front is taking shape when the opoosition can agree to a common cause which can then be expanded to other areas.

It will also deny the existing ruling party to go on a 'Santa Claus' rampage of money spending and vote buying in isguise of multiple numeruous 'social events'like bicycle presentation to the school going kids, houses, land titles (which has been long promised), new tar roads where Ministers literally will camp in the area during the campaign period. The prove of vote buying will be there and alwsays there. If documented prove is required and presented, the powers that be will turn around and say that the deeds has been misinterpreted and the vote canvassing guy just go overboard beyond his/her duty which does not reflect the ruling party.
The boycott is a small step but will send a strong signal to the EC to buck up and take note. Just to share a point, in past general election, the EC elected official is also seen/proven to be at the BN's operation quarters nightly when he is supposed to be neutral. Now, that particular guy is is the State Secretary of one state in Peninsular Malaysia.
Maybe Batu Talam voters will lose out the opportunity to display their displeasure to the ruling party, it is OK...let it shimmer and the ruling party will not be able to gauge the true strength of the opposition now...when the GE comes, letus all rise and make a simple unified stand - Enough is Enough.
Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...

azk

Malaysian politics is underpinned by race and religion.

That is why politics in malaysia does not unite the citizens, that is why the ethnic and religious tensions in the country are just at the surface and waiting to be blown up, and that is why, UMNO is so successful in retaining power based on its politics of racial and religious fear, and that is why, Malaysia can NEVER become a FIRST WORLD COUNTRY.

Malaysia's brand of politics encouraged and sustained by UMNO will forever make Malaysia a country of Third World Mentality. Just look at the case of having a minister, an EDUCATION MINISTER , to boot, wielding a keris in public, in a political assembly, and rabble rousing for blood of non Malays with that sacred symbol of the Malay culture.. what message do you give to the children who are supposed to take the cue from an EDUCATION MINISTER.

UMNO will NEVER allow Malaysian politicis to be on issues-based as for demomcrat vs republication or labour vs liberal or conservative vs liberal.

UMNO's survival as a political entity is to ensure that Malaysian politics is based on RACE and RELIGION. So is for MCA and MIC

wern

Forget your democratic rights when the whole electoral process is a sham. You might as well vote in North Korea.

Your democratic rights will only have value if the democratic process as enshrined in having a fair electoral process, fair to opposition parties, the EC is unbiased and not seen as favouring the ruling political parties as we have now in Malaysia, is fully mandated and instituted in the political fabric of the nation.

No, it is not. You might as well spend your time in the mamak stall and enjoy a cuppa of teh tarik.

A boycott will give UMNO a HOLLOW VICTORY. It is more disgraceful to claim victory when there is a deliberate boycott.

Can the people just take the money and then vote for the opposition?

becoming an opposition is surely difficult.

1. if they decide to boycott the by-election, they are now being accused of checkening out; play-acting

2. if it is known to be losing, they will also lose their RM10,000 election deposit. aiyah; money already hard to find and deciding to go against the
the wind will be foolish for a by-election.

3. when they lose, the newspapers headline will all come out and say that as though the people all endorses the winnings of the BN in Batu Talam citing excellent leadership and all sorts of apple-polishing of the powers-that-be. Despite the recent Sarawak general election where they lost some seats to the Opposition, the PR exercise in the newspaper went on to say that it is still a victory for the ruling party.

4. If the power of money politics is undeniable in the lost of TDM at Kubang Pasu, it is also equally thinkable as to how much they will pay just to oversee that money is being spent in this bye-election to post a small winning for the time-being.

So in deciding to boycott, by denying these *oiling* of the election machinery of the ruling party and its subjects, I would say, padan muka.

Boycott or not, it doesn't matter.

All that matters is, BN will still win and win BIG!

LONG LIVE THE PM! LONG LIVE BN!

DEMOCRACY DOWN THE DRAIN!

Ben Cheong

Democracy in Malaysia was dead 20 years ago.

If opposition parties boycott and voters don;t go and vote in the next General Election unless the electoral process is reformed, may be and only maybe, this UMNO led Govt can be shaken down, so that democracy can bloom.

get the evidence of dirty dealings, vote buying etc. Then be brave enough to do the necessary

Please GET RID OF THIRD WORLD MENTALITY when you commenting.

Whenever you say that, it means you think the country are running under ANARCHY. Democracy country jurisdiction will not ask YOU to produce evident, the system will utilise the PROFESSIONAL to gather evident, to ensure neutrality. For example, anti-corruption Association in Hong Kong WILL NOT ASK AND WAIT for evident, they will act in active way than passively wait there.

Moo_t, asking to provide evidence and waiting for ACA (or ICAC) to get evidence...WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Well, the difference is ACA here does not work.

So what is so FIRST world about your mentality? The very reason why ppl are talking here is because Msians is governed by a THIRD WORLD MENTALITY gov.

Nothing so FIRST WORLD about your comment about an auto system. It is not available here.

A democratic system is shaped by majority opinions. The people IS the system. The people need to to rely on PROFESSIONALS to decide on their vote. Maybe you should think twice before trying to redefine DEMOCRACY in your own professional way.

"...The people need NOT rely on PROFESSIONALS to decide on their vote..."

I agree with Frank.

This move by PAS and PKR will send a wake up call to all those still in the dark.. esp those in rural areas with no internet access but can hugely influence our Election. No thanks to the EC and how they divide the electorals.
It's a small wake up call. I can only pray that it works.

BN thrives on the interracial and inter religious hatred like a blood sucking demon. These methods are so third world and how the people (in general) fell for it speaks volumes about "modern malaysia".

Another interesting thought:
First the ruling govt screwed up our economy, make ALL Malaysians poorer (remember the tolls?) by increasing the cost of living. So those who were poor becomes poorer and more desperate.

THen, where ever they need votes, they dish out cash like Sante Claus. Then the gullible Malaysians will be very grateful and think they are the saviour of the country.

This tyranny will have to stop somewhere. I just hope I'd live to see the day our people wise up to these tricks.

azk,
Please don't divert my comment.

You are asking individual to FIND evidence. While I am saying individual are not professional for evidence gathering!

Your further comment contradicting with earlier statement. If you don't believe on ACA, then why you ask people to submit evidence?

Please tell us, besides boycott, what is the best way to send the message out?

azk:

I think you misunderstood moo_t. He didn't say that the people needs professionals to decide on their vote. What he means is that we need the professionals like ACA/SPR to provide a fair & neutral election.

Yes, you are right that our ACA don't work here. I am sure that you also know WHY our ACA don't work here. The BN government has screwed up everything from top(democracy) to bottom(economy).

That's why I always tell my friends who claim that they are politically-neutral(or think both BN & BA s*cks) to vote based on the purpose to fight/counter the phantom voters and bribed voters instead of democracy(choose the one they want).

Ben Cheong,
Bare in mind that democracy system is NEVER perfect. It need PEOPLE with awareness to uphold it.

When under the situation of "The devil and the deep blue sea", please learn to ROTATE between them. Don't be lazy and take the conveniences to keep the devil continue in the office.

Moo_t, did I say show evidence to the ACA? I don't believe ACA works independently. So? Does that means we can simply boycott something and tell everyone that is because so and so cheats!

I say provide evidence for the rakyat to judge when you claim EC is unfair and UMNO is giving out money to buy votes.

Not believing in ACA doesnt mean you can simply claim Ali Muthu and CHong play dirty.

That, is cheap publicity of a coward.

Great, now you ask ppl to rotate the power. How? By hiding behind the bushes and tell "Injustice! Boycott!"

azk:

What kind of evidence do you expect? You can talk to any Malaysian in the rural areas. Oh, so you only accepts concrete evidence? Bribe receipt? Photo?? Video???

azk:

Great, now you ask ppl to rotate the power. How? By hiding behind the bushes and tell "Injustice! Boycott!"

He was just giving suggestion/thoughts/advice. Please note that you are also in the same bushes with him and me. All of us are just the anonymous cowards.

Steve, we are discussing about PAS' rationale behind its decision and the effectiveness of such move.

You are straying.

PAS should not have made such stupid move. There is no other good times than now to garner for a bigger opposition voice.

If PAS cannot manage this by-election, PAS can forget GE.

No need to give such lame excuse to gain cheap publicity. So what if UMNO let the people generates income out of their campaign? Prove it. And if the people know this is wrong, the decision is still in their vote. They decide.

As for Steve who prefer to imagine himself in bush, you can remain there. I'm talking about PAS.

Winning is built on momentum. You gain no momentum by hiding.

When you finally charge out during the GE, the rakyat sees you as unimportant fools who shows up only during GE.

Ok, sorry if I did stray from responding on your comments, just let me know(I couldn't find where).

How do you expect the opposition to win in such unfair election? If you know any Batu Talam ppl, you can ask them about the BN machinery right now.

I am just illustrating that you and me and moo_t are in the same position. We are just talking here. You can simply talk like 'let's just win the election'...but if you are really in the PAS position, are you gonna nominate yourself and see yourself being beaten in an unfair election?

The opposition have been building momentum out there. The problem is that many Malaysians like to hide/isolate themselves. They won't spend a minute to hear what the opposition is trying to tell.

i think it's a good tactical move to boycott the election for reasons stated by Husam. But as usual the key is ensuring Rakyat understand what the fight is all about. I hope the coalition for electoral reform do a good job at creating the awareness and at winning the hearts & minds of Rakyat. I look forward to this and will definitely do my part to convince my friends, relatives etc on the need for reforms. I think that's the very least for anyone who loves this country can offer. Lets stop bickering, lets work together to help each other, if we fail so be it. There's no shame in trying but not doing anything is a sin.
Love & peace to all.

moo_t :

Rotating between 'The Devil' and 'The Deep Blue Sea' is what I would called Lazy.

There is no rational thinking in 'Learning to Rotate' when both choices leads you to the same place.

Instead you should be looking for a way out no matter how slim the chances may seem. We are humans with a brain to think.

A hollow victory is still a seat in the Assembly. If the hollow victor is there by foul means, he still has the power to make changes to your life, and by boycotting and not even offering an alternative for people to show they can make a mature choice, you are giving in to these people. It’s just like those commentators we used to have on TV when the badminton was being played… ‘gagal’ they would shout, every time the shuttlecock went out, making it really hard to keep up your spirits for the players, and then no wonder we all felt it inevitable when they lost. PAS through it’s actions is showing that, not only are they petulant cry babies, but they have nothing of substance to offer. I wouldn’t vote for them anyway, but I would like to have a choice.
To quote an old proverb “ faint heart never won fair lady’. Maybe the other guy (BN) looks more handsome and rich and successful, but have you not noticed that the fair lady (you, my friend, the voter, in this case) sometimes chooses the guy with more substance. He may not look so impressive on the surface, or be so rich, but if he’s caring and solid, he is better as a ‘keeper’. It is only when our voters become more mature that they will be able to be educated ‘fair ladies’. At the moment the number may be small, but I’m sure it is growing. It is time to rid ourselves of bankrupt politicians who rely on race and religion to get themselves a cushy job with plenty of outside opportunities, and instead look at those who can look at the really important things – how our schools are funded and run, how the roads and other services are set up and maintained. How our country is defended, and how there is equal opportunity for all. If our children, our future, are not nurtured and educated properly without bias and unfairness being the core of the system, how can they inherit and develop a truly great nation?
I live in hope.

people,

PAS can always fight money politic, as they do it in kelantan. as nik aziz said, "bagi duit ambik bagi kain ambik bagi basikal ambik, tapi undi tetap bulan."

as a kelantanese, i know them very well, money cant buy them.

but what bn do now is different, they just take out identified opps voters and plant their phantom voter in EC list, as they wish and EC knew it and allow it. Thats what happened in terengganu and last time happened in pangkalan pasir by-election.

what will you do if you have a boxing fight with a smaller/same size guy but they will tied you up in ring. your opponent can can use anything even parang or sword or whatever. you cant move and the only weapon you got is your spit. will you fight in that situation if you given option to fight or not? unless you got lion roar thats different stori la

http://www.malaysia-today.net/Sham_Democracy.pdf

Does this constitute as evidence?

Ok. Show the evidence to everyone. All the rakyat. Print it out. Explain it on your campaign. Explain it all to Batu Talam rakyat.

If.. if in the end, after all these, you still lose the election, then go get your pockets filled first in your next try. Malaysians vote for money over the moon.

"Bagi duit ambik, Bagi kain ambik, Bagi basikal ambik.."

Looks like anak kelate is no different than those who can be bought over by money.

Maybe worst.

That's double the sin.

First, you accept something haram (greed?).

Second, with the "agreement" to vote for "keris", you vote for "bulan" instead.

Is this really how PAS works? Politicians are politicians. Pretending to be holy to garner votes.

azk:

What's so haram about accepting something that someone gives you?
BTW, it is not a PAS policy, as you'd like people to believe, but just a tomgue in cheek comment from Nik Aziz.
LJ

Hi all,

I think one think we need to understand the implication of corruption. In effect, it's the Malaysian mentality that do not understands how corruption is actually causing our cost of living increasing, and inflation going through the roof. If you take bribes, in effect you are robbing yourself.

Don't quite get the idea? Well, imagine if you vote BN just because they give you some goodies. Money, low cost housing, bikes etc. Someone else in your constituency receive the same thing. Say, BN is rich enough to bribe everyone in your constituency. So, BN won.

"So, what?" you ask. "Everybody is happy". Well, the story dont quite end there. Somehow, somewhere, BN needs to get those money to give out in the first place. Wanna take a guess where on earth BN get those money/goodies to give out? From you and I, via BN projects, middle-man, business contributions, etc. i.e. siphoned money from the government, which equates to yours and mine tax monies. Of course, the cronies would have saved some for themselves somewhere in the middle. Still think money-politics & corruption is no big deal?

Personally, I think that the boycott is pointless. It will not change anything. Peaceful resistance works only on a civilised regime with a semblance of morals. Does anyone think Gandhi's tactics would have worked on the Nazis? They only worked on the British because the British had a conscience. The Barisan Nasional government has no conscience. If you boycott their elections, they will merely go all out to get "kosong pembangkang".

Nobody is denying that BN's elections are unfair. But you are really kidding yourself if you think boycotting them will change anything. Despite the gerrymandering, despite the money politics, despite *everything*, the opposition still /can/ win seats. This is a proven fact. It is better to participate in an unfair system and complain about it in the halls of Parliament, than to boycott it and deny the rakyat the representation they would have gotten under the unfair system - especially when the boycott will not change anything.

Here is my another input about the boycott.

In 1st world country like German, there is NO POSTER. All candidates must show the account of poll. Using of incumbent power to distributes goodies, e.g. give TOL, pave road,etc will trigger anti-graft investigation.

In country like Malaysia, election mean HUGE ringgits spending.

First, there is extremely HIGH deposit to register. 1st world countries like Denmark, Finland, Germany, Sweden don't require of such deposit. check the source here

Second, there is poster/banner war. At least 20K is wasted on the poster, banner which surf little purpose to giving a better life to the people.

Third, there is transportation arrangement NOT by the election councils, but parties with load of money.

Fourth, minister/etc politikus are using the incumbent convenience to unload goodies, which an OPEN BRIBERY (ok, here is evident, then what can we do about it).

In short, side with money can easily pour 200K-500K to buy the base support. While the "winning factor" can be draft by EC anytime, with any means in black box operations.

Can opposition spend that kind of resources? Bare in mind that 1998 just 12 month away.

johnleemk

you said... But you are really kidding yourself if you think boycotting them will change anything.

Yes it will. Most important is the Malay heartland has to boycott the elections, not the non malays. If the malay heartland is seen as boycotting the election or does not go to vote, it will send a very sharp message to UMNO ie your time is up.

I think the Malay heartland in the 21st century has awaken to the cheating and abuse of the trust given to UMNO since 1957. The issue is how fast the critical mass will take place for the Malay heartland to be less dependent on UMNO and able to determine their own fate instead of falling back on traditional feudalistic dependency on the powers that be.

azk

"bagi duit ambik bagi kain ambik bagi basikal ambik, tapi undi tetap bulan."

I call that pragmatic wisdom.

And you what? Kelantanese kampung folks have greater political finesse than many of those educated urban folks in the klang valley.
They say, "Umno is in Govt and is Govt.. so what they give are Govt, not political party.. and we accept those bicycles,ad kain as gifts of Govt. And Govts are supposed to look after all Malaysians irrespectve of their political affiliations. And it is up to us to vote PAS,and we say " terima kasih banyok banyok, pah tu, harak mari pulok ke negri kelate. "

Mitak kita Undi Dacing, kah? Insyi Allah.

And the rest is history.

azk,

by doing what nik aziz said is killing bn objective to buy vote. they lost their money and at the end they lost vote also. thats what at least people can do if they feel its rude not to accept 'donation' from bn machinery.

we kelantanese always do that, not like people from other state who can easily bought. other states malay can easily bought, most malay there can easily scared by umno tactic that if they vote for opps chinese will ruled them over. their chinese and indian will be scared by islamic states or myth of better vote for evil you know then vote for pas/opps. sooo stupid minded.

most people who opposed boycott is who hardly vote or never vote in their life. or bn supporter of course la

rosman:

I agree. Those who oppose the boycott probably never vote or even just go to a voting venue to see how those BN machinery worked(imagine how much $ they spent).

Two scenario here:

(1) Taking BN's offering and vote PAS.

(2) Refusing BN's offering and vote PAS.

Ok. So you guys choose (1). Good choice. I will not question it if it's any other political party. But his one claims to be fighting for Islam.

So.. does it mean it's ok to be doing the wrong thing to achieve an "islamic" goal?

Yes. The Chinese and Indians are scared of the Islamic Party. For one simple reason. They don't wish their life to end up like those in Kelantan, where women are wallets and ah.. the list goes on.

To them, this is even worse than UMNO.

This is one simple reason why PAS can never move out from Kelantan.

Kelantanese young men I talked to in west coast swear they will never go back. These are not some highly educated overseas grads english capable Kelantanese mind u. They don't post on Screenshots. They are just some buruh trying to make ends meet. Life is so much better in West, claims these anak kelate.

Put it in a simple way.

The Chinese and Indians vote for development, or money if you would call it. To these people, nothing is evil about money.

The Malays in Kelantan vote for God.

The remaining Malays either vote for Race, or corruption.

The remaining MALAYSIANS, vote for justice.

Go figure it out. Who will win in the end? Never learn from past mistakes.

While the world moves on at high speed, Malaysians are still trying to figure out how to separate the men and women in public.

I don't think the public at Batu Talam cares so much if PAS and PKR boycott the by election.

So what? If they are indeed looking for a change, then their chance finally came. If they are not, well... it's not important anyway.

Unless if the vote count PAS-UMNO is 1000-1 and yet EC declares the count as 1-1000, then we have a serious problem.

Boycotting like this is a waste of time. But it isn't if PAS is hoping for cheap publicity and cover up for being chickened out.

By boycotting, at least the taxpayers money will be saved.

I am sure UMNO Batu Talam will be disappointed with the boycotting as it will mean less or no money pouring in for them to construct "election machineries"

And the Putera and Puteri UMNO can rather be deployed in the Johor floods where their help is much more needed.

Thats a point good enough for me.

azk

It goes to show you know nothing about Kelantan and Kelantanese.

Do you know that if you are anak kelate, whether you are Malay, Chinese or Indian or Half-Thai etc, you are always anak kelate first.

Kelantanese people are proud of ONE fact, if you are anak kelate, your race is secondary.

That much you cannot say about the west coast Malays, Chinese or Indians where your race is put up front before they consider you a Malaysian or Johorian and what have you.

A Kelantanese in any west coast state when he/she meets another kelantanese, irrespective whether you are 60 or 15 years old, they recognition of brotherhood/sisterhood taks priority.

You can ask any Kelatanese, be he/she a Kelantanese Malay, Kelantansese Chinese or Kelantanese Indian.

Anak Kelate people are proud to be a Kelantanese first, before being a Malay, Chinese or Indian.

zk

you said....The Chinese and Indians are scared of the Islamic Party.

This is because ofa the distorted and negative publicity given by the UMNO-owned NST and the MCA-owned Star.

People like and all the west coast chinese are fed with the daily morning garbage on domestic politics by the mouthpiece of UMNO and MCA, and you consume those political garbage like vacuum cleaners.

No wonder, your ignorance really shows up.

azk

You said.... While the world moves on at high speed, Malaysians are still trying to figure out how to separate the men and women in public.

Sure, why are civilised people need to have separate toilets for men and women? To follow your silly argument.

azk

You said...The Chinese and Indians vote for development, or money if you would call it. To these people, nothing is evil about money.

They are a bunch of unscrupolous opportunists, nothing more and nothing less.

holiday

I agree with you. Taxpayer's money is saved. Secondly, those UMNO apparatchiks will have less pocket money.

After all, EC has already admitted the electoral process is suspicious at best and downright biased at worst.

UMNO would have stolen the election one way or the other. Latest word out is that orang aslis were brought in as Indian voters in the electoral lists.

UMNO can reassign their members from Batu Talam to Johore to help inthe flood.

For a change these UMNO Muda and Puteri Umno can be put to good use.

It would have been better if the people were the ones who are doing the boycotting. That way the message will go through.

I think the current opposition parties are more proactive in the use of strategy. It is almost inevitable that BN will win Talam again and they will use the victory to parade their popularities and righteousness. Better to retreat this battle and combine strenght to win the war.

Boycotting election is never a good choice in the democratic process. The people loses.

But on the other hand, those on the gravy train also loses. Think about those UMNO kakis who loses out making money from banners, flags , bottled water etc etc. Elections are one of the ways to siphon funds..so no election means no good for BN kakis??

Dear Jeff Ooi,

I feel your heading is misleading as the opposition was not united in boycott the small election. DAP has said if this was their traditional DUN, they would have contested regardless whether PAS and PKR boycott.

You, Jeff Ooi boast to be a professional journalist yet you practise dishonest reporting with a misleading heading.

JEFF OOI says: You falsified facts. I am NOT a practising journalist, NEVER was, and will UNLIKELY be one in the foreseeable future. The Malaysian media industry can attest to that as the Press is a small fraternity. So, how can I "Jeff Ooi boast to be a professional journalist" as you have claimed -- when I am not even one? Your so-called jihad is just to spill filth!

Dear Frank&Honest,

On January 13, 2007 05:08 PM, you wrote in bold:

It goes to show you know nothing about Kelantan and Kelantanese.

It also goes to show that you are a very very rude man who is a good PAS propagandist. You fail to realise that regardless of what you say it is simply not true on the ground.

I'm a Kelantanese and the proof I have is my MyKad is DOB-03-XXXX. The numeric code 03 is Kelantan, and so I know my birth place very well. In Malaysia, we do not have 'racial' politics for 49 years as 'Malay' is any Muslim regardless of 'race'. Tun Dr Mahathir is an Indian Muslim but he still can get Bumiputra priveledges. Its non Muslims who are discriminated.

Do you know that if you are anak kelate, whether you are Malay, Chinese or Indian or Half-Thai etc, you are always anak kelate first.

Are you a Kelantanese or PAS propagandist? What is your MyKad place of birth? 03? Mine is DOB-03-XXXX (where DOB is my date of birth and XXXX is my secret number). As a Kelantanese Christian Chinese, I voted in both 1999 and 2004 for Barisan Nasional. I as other Kelantanese never use the words "Malay", "Chinese" and "Indian" as they are inaccurate. Malay is a catch-all term for all Muslims (Indians, Chinese and Bumiputra) while Chinese is always used to refer to non Muslim. Chinese Muslims in Kelantan prefer to call themselves Malays and vote for PAS, while religious non Muslims generally vote for BN.

I've always seen myself as Christian first and I voted for UMNO Kota Bahru MP Zaid Ibrahim in 2004 giving the capital of Kelantan to UMNO.

Kelantanese people are proud of ONE fact, if you are anak kelate, your race is secondary.

You obviously do not know the ground in Kelantan and are an arm chair traveller. No, Kelantanese, certainly not me, consider myself 'anak kelate'. We, Kelantanese consider ourselves differently, some Malaysians first, some Kelantanese first, and others (like me) religion first. I am a Christian first and foremost and I reject Islamism, which is why I voted UMNO Kota Bahru MP Zaid Ibrahim over Barisan Alternatif.

That much you cannot say about the west coast Malays, Chinese or Indians where your race is put up front before they consider you a Malaysian or Johorian and what have you.

Throughout Peninsula Malaysia, various people have differing opinions about themselves and they reject your PAS propaganda. West Malaysians generally self-classify themselves either by religion first or culture (language) first but certainly NOT by skin-colour (race) nor State first nor even Malaysian first.

A Kelantanese in any west coast state when he/she meets another kelantanese, irrespective whether you are 60 or 15 years old, they recognition of brotherhood/sisterhood taks priority.

Tell us are you born in Kelantan? Is your MyKad in this format: DOB-03-XXXX? If not, jangan masuk hal ehwal warga Kelantan but if yes, you may freely discuss.

What you say is completely false and I suspect you are a PAS/PKR propagandist! Kelantan is not luxury land and inter-communal relationship is very poor between Muslims (Malays) and non Muslims (non Malays). You have not taken into account religion yet eventhough brotherhood/sisterhood is religious terminology.

You can ask any Kelatanese, be he/she a Kelantanese Malay, Kelantansese Chinese or Kelantanese Indian.

I am a Kelantanese and I notice Chinese Muslims and Indian Muslims consider themselves Malays and during elections side with PAS, while non Muslims consider ourselves Malaysians first or non Muslims first and side with UMNO.

Anak Kelate people are proud to be a Kelantanese first, before being a Malay, Chinese or Indian.

Heard of confabulation? If not, do a check in Wikipedia.org :) Your propaganda (read: lies) only deceives you and no one else. I consider myself Christian first and Malaysian second despite being Kelantan born. I do not care of my State as I am a federalist. I voted Zaid Ibrahim, UMNO Kota Bahru MP instead of BA.

gary:

In Malaysia, we do not have 'racial' politics for 49 years as 'Malay' is any Muslim regardless of 'race'.

I am too lazy to read the whole comment of yours...but I already can't make myself agreed with your first point.

BTW, do you think that BN is a perfect solution from god?

gary

I thought I was talking to "azk".

So you are a Kelantanese but not anak kelate.

What a damn hypocrite!,Nobody gives a sh_t if your IC card is from Kelantan.

You are Christian first? What is so damn proud you voted for UMNO?

You are a Kelantanese just because you were born in Kelantan but you don't integrate and I doubt you even mix with other Kelantanese Muslims or Buddhists. You said you reject Islamism (whatever word you coin), just shows that you are a religious bigot, not well suited to live in Kelantan.

Thank God people like you are a such an insignficant minority in Kelantan otherwise May 13 1969 incident would have hit Kelantan.

You are one person the rest of the anak Kelate would avoid like leprosy with your kind of religious and racial bigotry.

gary

One more thing..

you said...It also goes to show that you are a very very rude man .

People like you are basically a religious bigot and almost with a racist tendency have to confronted with rudeness...no, absolute rudeness.

I think I have been pretty polite in my earlier response to people like you. I would have excused your kind of mentality if you had not called yourself a Kelantanese. What a disgraceful exposition of yourself and telling me I am rude. I consider myself polite already otherwise, Jeff would have blocked my posting if I have to say what I have to say for people like you who thinks he is a Christian first, instead of Malaysian first.

[ DELETED - Stay on course and tick to the blog topic. ]

azk and frank&honest,

Let me correct you, people like Datuk Lin will definitely vote whoever give them mega projects. The chinese and indians in general vote for what they believe is better for the country and for their family.

streetz

I fully agree with you. 200 %

azk,

so whats your suggestion? refuse donation and vote for pas?

i bet you never 'turun padang' in any election.

why you so naive? in real world of election, no one will come to you and make offering to you and ask you to promise to vote for them, like buyer and seller. it never happened that way. after reciving whatever 'donation', whenever they asked 'demo undi ko bn deh', they will answer 'insyaallah'.

bn workers also trained not to show that whatever donation is part of vote buying, they have to do it in smoothly. have you ever been cought of corrupt traffic police? did you ever said 'inilah rasuah saya untuk anda' or police ask you 'berapa duit rasuah yg kamu boleh bagi?'

so in reality there is no promise to vote for bn. you should read word by word what nik aziz said.

even if they made you to promise, you still have done more good than bad. you sinned to bn but you done good for country by not electing corrupt gov. just like you made a promise to a thief in your house not to report to police, if you stupid you will follow your promise.

gary,

very wierd comment from poeple who put cristian first and everything second.

i bet you never know how many churh building dev put on hold and not given approval during bn and approved within less than a year during pas.

your justice bn gov also put on hold your churh dev in shah alam UNTIL NOWWWWW, may be thats the reason why you vote bn, my dear devout christian.

JEFF OOI says: To prevent religious bigots from further distracting our conversions on serious issues, I have assign reader Gary into the BANNED list. You guys should now stop hounding on him and stay on course.

Mr. F&H,

You said:

"You said...The Chinese and Indians vote for development, or money if you would call it. To these people, nothing is evil about money.

They are a bunch of unscrupolous opportunists, nothing more and nothing less."

I hope you will take this back as I find what you said is over-generalizing and racist. Most, if not all Chinese and Indians, or for anyone for that matter, want to have a life free of discrimination, but it's reverse in reality. Everything has been perversed by BN/UMNO. On the other hand, PAS is not really an option as they are perceived to only fight for the rights of Muslims. So, as far as voting is concerned, is there a third option?

ordinaryperson

OK. I will take back the word "unscrupulous". I agree this adjective is rather unfair.