How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Congratulations to all those who have won!

All the candidates I have openly supported were victorious! Congratulations to all!

All of them were in the 3 states of Penang, Perak and Selangor as well as the Federal Territory of KL. The winds of change were incredible to the extent that the opposition leaders were pleasantly shocked!

The voters’ message left no doubt that they could not stand the nonsense anymore and instead of hoping that the promises were kept (most were empty promises during elections) they decided that the people are the boss, not the other way round. The opposition parties winning on this premise should keep to their promise of good governance, as otherwise, the people might have to decide against them in the next election.

I believe Penang lost because of the lack of decisiveness on the part of the Gerakan leadership, which was perceived as being stooges of Umno, in matters of deciding who should be the next Chief Minister as well as in the development of major projects. I was right in my earlier posting that the billboard showed Koh Tsu Koon and Pak Lah waving goodbye to Penang!

I think Perak lost because many people expressed disapproval over how MCA President’s brother could become its Secretary General despite his failure in the last General Election and allowed the choice of a safe seat in Tanjong Malim, as well as factionalism and general discontent among its leaders and their supporters. While the opposition has its share of people voicing out because of being dropped as candidates, those in the ruling parties had more to lose when dropped because not only they lost in not getting on the gravy train, their supporters were not as dedicated – ‘no money no talk’.

In Kuala Lumpur; Dr. Tan Seng Giaw and Teresa Kok probably got additional sympathy votes as a result of the former being pelted with eggs and the latter’s service centre splashed with red paint. Some said the sexist cartoons put up by Carol Chew backfired.

Selangor's arrogance in not taking action against Zakaria, fielded his proxy instead and even had a crony buy up the critical Sun paper to shut up the critics must have been factors contributing to its fall.

Nurul Izzah’s win over Shahrizat was really sweet, especially with the latter’s use of VVIPs and corporate leaders like Tony Fernandez and Nizam Tun Razak and celebrities like Siti Nurhaliza, which made no difference.

Cheng’s friend, Nik Nazmi made it in his debut in Seri Setia and will be ADUN Selangor. While Beng's friend, Vincent Hooi lost his Canning seat in Perak.

Overall, there is no denying that Anwar and Lim Kit Siang managed to attract the masses, not only in attending the ceramahs, but in contributing as well. While the big contributors had to be secretive, they are also known to let out their secrets, as they wanted people to know too!

Hindraf and Mahkal Sakti played an important role in uniting the Indians against the ruling party. The Hindraf 5, demolition of Indian temple just before Deepavali, and so on must have caused Samy Vellu to pack up in Sungai Siput, as well as voting in M. Monoharan for Kota Alam Shah on a DAP ticket, even though he was still in detention under ISA!

I think credit should be given to political strategist, Liew Chin Tong, who I presume must have contributed his expertise.

One opposition supporter was quick to point out that his car’s BN flags were for show only! While on this subject of pretence, the Chinese businessmen are worse. Usually, besides the necessary licences and permits, an MCA life membership would be useful and a DAP membership a definite ‘NO!’ to avoid any perceived hassle while doing business. They want the best of both worlds – BN for show while retaining their right to vote the opposition whenever they feel like it!

Malaysiakini site was giving a good update on the unofficial results until, for some reasons, it could not be logged on. Was it deliberate by Malaysiakini or attacked again at the crucial hours?

Details of results (some without majority figures):

Perak

* P.64 Ipoh Timor: Lim Kit Siang defeated Liew Mun Hon (polled 37,364 majority 21,942)

* P.68 Beruas: Ngeh Koo Ham defeated Chang Ko Youn (polled 15,831 majority 1,828) and
*N.50 Sitiawan: he defeated Ting Siew Chee (polled 12,231 majority 8,529)

*P.65 Ipoh Barat: M Kulasegaran defeated Yik Phooi Hong (polled 32,576 majority 15,534)

*P.66 Batu Gajah: Fong Po Kuan defeated Cheah Yoke Can (polled 39,922 majority 24,627)

*N.27 Pasir Pinji: Su Keong Siong defeated Khoo Boon Chuan (polled 12,526 majority 6,339)

*P.60 Taiping: Nga Kor Ming defeated M. Kayveas (polled 28,098 majority 11,298) and N.37 Pantai Remis he defeated Ooi Jing Ting (polled 12,188 majority 5,076)

*N.32 Menglembu: Lim Pek Har defeated Christina Teoh Ai Ling (polled 13,305 majority 6,523)

*N.33 Tronoh: Sivakumar defeated Lee Kim Choy (polled 9,302 majority 2,571)

Penang

*P.43 Bagan: Lim Guan Eng defeated Song Choy Leng (polled 33,748 majority 22,070)
*N.23 Air Puteh: he defeated Tan Yoke Cheng (polled 6,601 majority 4,061)

*P.50 Jelutong: Ooi Chuan Aun defeated Dr. Thor Teong Ghee and Badrul Zaman (polled 30,493, majority 16,246)

*P.51 Bukit Gelugor: Karpal Singh defeated Koay Kar Huah (polled 35,140 majority 21,015)

*P.46 Batu Kawan: Dr. P Ramasamy defeated Koh Tsu Koon (polled 23,067 majority 9,485) and
*N.16 Perai: he defeated L. Krishnan and Ulaganathan (polled 7,668 majority 5,176)

KL & Selangor

*P.114 Kepong: Dr.Tan Seng Giaw defeated Lau Hoi Keong (polled 35,552 majority 23,848)

*P.122 Seputeh: Teresa Kok defeated Carol Chew (polled 47,230 majority 36,492) and
*N.30 Kinrara: she defeated Dr. Kow Cheong Wei (polled 12,990 majority 5,739)

*P.103 Puchong: Gobind Singh Deo defeated Lau Yeng Peng (polled 35,079 majority 12,593)

*P.106 Petaling Jaya Utara: Tony Pua defeated Chew Mei Fun (polled 37,851 majority 19,972)

*N.44 Sungai Pinang: Teng Chang Khim defeated Song Kee Chai (polled 12,856 majority 7,361)

*N.47 Pandamaran: Liu Tian Khiew defeated Teh Kim Poo (polled 12,547 majority 5,398)

*P.110 Klang: Charles Santiago defeated Ch’ng Toh Eng (polled 37,990 majority 17,701)

*P.121 Lembah Pantai: Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR) defeated Shahrizat and N. Periasamy (polled 21,728 majority 2,895)

*N.32 Seri Setia: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (PKR) defeated Seripah Noli (polled 13,838 majority 2,863)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Mr.O,
Do you know what happened to the "onion head" on top of BG's clock tower? I noticed it wasn't there on my way to Ipoh today.

Zardoz said...

hey, do you think the People's Party has actually come up with a plan on what to do now?

I have been listening to some of the previous speeches by many opposition leaders the last two weeks, much has been said... I really hope they have an idea on how they are going to manage (each other) and the states they have won, without fear or favour

bayi said...

KS,

My family gave 4 votes to Nik Nazmi. We voted in Seri Setia. And for the parliamentary seat, the votes went to the dragon-slayer, Loh Guo Burne.

KoSong Cafe said...

Thanks anonymous. I did not pass that way today but according to a coffeeshop stall operator, it was taken for repairs (so soon!).

Thanks beng kiat. Already Zorro mentioned that they must try to introduce local elections as promised but apparently, it is subject to state or even federal law amendments, the latter would be next to impossible. One way out is to appoint local professionals who are keen to be councillors, avoiding as much as possible own party men.

Already Anwar had told Selangor ADUNs to avoid unnecessary expenditure like renovation to offices, buying official cars and so on. There will be quarterly financial reports like Plc! Good for the taxpayers and should be exemplary to the other state governments.

Khalid Ibrahim (the incoming Selangor MB) is even trying to be more transparent by doing away with OSA where Selangor is concerned!

KoSong Cafe said...

Thanks BH. Every vote counts and the results were really incredible.

Feng shui lun lau cheen for so many Datos and even Tan Sri and Dato Seri!

I am sure the MBs and CM are still recovering from their shock defeats.

Now, even the appointed councillors have to leave for new replacements.