Democracy matters. Malaysia matters. The rakyat matters.
Let's vote!
Malaysia needs a change in government. Voting is key towards a better future for our beloved nation.
Without casting your vote, you can't change the government of the day.
When parties have been in power for too long, governance becomes routine and predictable.
It is the rakyat's demand that the current government's leadership be replaced with a born leader who has the ability to take Malaysia to greater heights.
Someone who truly personifies Malaysia, regardless of race, religion and party allegiance.
I cannot bear to imagine racism, biasness and favouritism carrying on for the next 57 years or so.
I want impartiality for all Malaysians, regardless of what background, skin colour, race, religion and status they come from.
I want the Malaysia which I grew up knowing and loving. My country, my people, my government. I want to be proud to say, my government.
The best way to do that is to be the change I want to see.
It is my duty to vote to ensure that I participate in what is to be the faith of our nation and the future of my future children and my future grandchildren.
Malaysia is a multi-racial country. That belongs to all Malaysians.
We share the same history, we embrace the unique heritage of our fellow Malaysians from different races, cultures and beliefs.
The world knows us by our slogan, 'Malaysia Truly Asia'.
Let's live up to that! It has been quite the race leading up to Parliament being dissolved.
As a nation, we have had enough of parties debating on what changes they are going to bring about, enough empty promises, enough about tarnishing each other's reputation and enough pushing the blame and enough of cover ups.
The new government better be prepared to be on their toes, because the rakyat has awaken to make our claims known.
Let us look around at other Asian countries.
Let us appreciate that our brother and sister countries face poor economic conditions, they have far less in terms of educational opportunities and their lack of public facility is apparent.
The corruption in some of these neighbouring countries is almost always much worse off than what we are accustomed to here in Malaysia.
It is prerogative that we realise this, it is important that we count our blessings and be grateful for how far we have come.
Let us together join hands to elect a new government who is ready, able and willing to lead the country taking into mind that impartiality and open opportunity should be available to all the three major races in Malaysia, the Indians, the Chinese and the Malays; simply because we make up the majority of the rakyat.
Malaysians need to appreciate that as a country, we are blessed compared to other developing nations.
Just look at the amount of foreigners from Cambodia, Bangladesh, Burma, Laos, China, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand who flock by the thousands to our country for a job opportunity.
We should be thankful as we are not that desperate to leave our lives, our homes and our families to seek for a better life elsewhere.
Those who live elsewhere have most likely studied abroad and have been blessed with opportunities in other nations.
We are proud to have some of the most famous celebrities of the world hailing from Malaysia.
If only, if only Malaysia was governed rightly, they would have become famous in Malaysia itself.
But now, they form part of another nation and they contribute to that economy.
I am one of those people who built my career elsewhere for personal reasons where opportunities and faith have brought me.
Nevertheless, I contribute to my nation's economy by living in Malaysia.
We cannot avoid corruption in any institution in this world. As we know, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
It is not easy to select a new government which totally hasn't had the experience of managing a country.
But it is a leap of faith we will have to take together as a nation.
We will need to practice patience and give chances to the new government to grow into the role.
The next two years will be trying, but if we trust with our hearts and stick together as a nation, we may just succeed in our conquest.
Voting can bring rewards to individuals in the shape of a government that keeps its favorable election promises.
But the benefits of voting must be weighed against the chances of influencing the result.
And the probability that a single vote is pivotal to deciding an election is, in practical terms, zero.
Nevertheless, we must go forth, we must cast our votes we must so we shan't complain later.
We should be the change we want to see.
We should use our hearts and minds and vote wisely for the generations to come...for Malaysia.
The change in our government will not only enhance Malaysia as a developing nation and put us on the map again; it will also open new economic opportunities in the Asian region and on a global platform.
Asia is the place to be, the place where multiple MNCs and organisations are moving to and investing in.
Malaysia is strategically located and if we better our governance, we will be able to tap into the Asian economic boom which is currently taking place.
I would also like to point out, while we who are not in power, can err, our mistakes usually affect only those we know or a small circle of people.
Politicians who make the wrong decisions can affect the lives of millions.
So it is up to this select group of people to behave humanely and choose a righteous course.
Sadly, this is almost never the case.
At the end of the day this election is a battle between the government of the day and the opposition parties.
We are kept informed about what is going on, the money involved, bribery, corruption, and tactical games of gaining voters for the upcoming election through global use of social network sites and news websites.
To me, I do not really care which party wins as long as the election process is clean and the playing field is level, then may the best man win.
May 5 2013 will be the day when we Malaysians will head out to the polls to save our beloved Malaysia.
Let us hope and let us pray that our nation will be blessed with a better more constructive and inspiring government.
The saying goes, "Great leaders don't tell you what to do - they show you how it is done."
That is the kind of government I want leading Malaysia.
Let's vote for whom we consider could be a great leader for you, for me, for them, for us, for our Malaysia! -MK
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Your votes will decide the country you want
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The widely expected decisions by Pakatan Rakyat (PR), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and State Reform Party (STAR) to contest almost all the seats in Sabah, especially state seats, has given the Sabah Barisan Nasional’s (BN) chances of repeating its virtual clean sweep in 2008 a huge boost.
ReplyDeleteWith the decisions, the opposition parties are doing the BN a big favour and make winning for the ruling coalition much easier as only a handful of seats are going to see one-on-one fights, and the BN is expected to be the biggest winners in multi-cornered battles where opposition votes would be split.
ReplyDeleteSTAR Sabah yesterday said that for now it will contest in 35 state and 13 parliamentary seats but will add even more candidates just before nomination day tomorrow, as it expects “turncoats” from both Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to cross over to them.
ReplyDeleteJudging from the lists of candidates announced by PR, Star and Sabah progressive Party (SAPP), voters in the State will yet again see a free for all election similar to the previous one held in 2008.
ReplyDeleteIn the last general election, the BN made a virtual clean sweep of all the 60 state and 25 parliamentary seats, losing only one parliamentary constituency and one state seat to Democratic Action Party (DAP).
ReplyDeleteWith the success of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, leaders from the BN component parties here are already confident of repeating their outstanding feat.
ReplyDeleteOut of the 48 candidates announced by STAR so far, 23 of them will be standing in areas which will also be contested by fellow state-based opposition SAPP, who have announced their own candidates for 41 state and eight parliamentary seats.
ReplyDeleteAlmost all of the seats that STAR had confirmed to be contesting so far will also be challenged by the national opposition pact PR who had also released their respective list of candidates.
STAR president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said they were supposed to announce a full candidate list jointly with USNO, in conjunction with the launch of the party’s manifesto yesterday.
ReplyDeleteHowever, he said a decision was taken to delay the announcement after taking into consideration the fluidity of the situation and the changes taking place on the ground.
“There are still more people coming in, we have to keep this confidential at the moment, but soon you will know from which BN component parties they are,” he said, adding that the rest of the line-up will be sorted out and announced by today, once the party has taken into consideration the emerging “new development”.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey however confirmed he will be standing in Keningau against his elder brother Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan, as well as the Bingkor state seat, which he had also contested but lost in the 2008 election under PKR’s ticket.
He also said 90 per cent of STAR candidates would be new faces from among professional individuals, who were chosen based on their outstanding qualities and commitment towards the party’s struggle.
At the event he also received membership applications from former PKR Sabah youth chief Jafery Jomion as well as several PKR members from Penampang.
Previously, STAR was reported to be contesting at least 41 state and 15 parliamentary seats, with its president confident of the party’s chances despite the anticipated multi-cornered fights.
ReplyDeleteSTAR’s partner, USNO, also unveiled its own partial list, confirming candidates for eight seats, four of which will be also be contested by SAPP.
The candidates announced were for state seats of Banggi, Sekong, Tungku, Kunak, Balung and the parliamentary seats of Semporna, Tuaran and Kalabakan.
Its president, Datu Badaruddin Tun Datu Mustapha, said his party would announce three more candidates to be fielded for the Semporna seat seat as well as another candidate for the Silam parliamentary seat.
At the press conference, Badaruddin also clarified that USNO is standing on its own and not under STAR, although two of its candidates will be contesting using STAR tickets.
“We are standing on our own to prove to Umno and BN that USNO is still relevant in Sabah. The reason we are focusing on Semporna is because Umno said the area is their stronghold, and USNO in previous years had also said Semporna was its stronghold, so, we will see,” he said.
UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Razak laid out to Malaysians the choice between a progressive and transforming government, and mere promises of the opposition as the nation braces for a crucial general election early next year.
ReplyDeleteIn a strong rallying-of-the-troop keynote address at the party's annual general assembly, Najib made a passionate pledge that the Umno-led coalition would offer the best government since the people "deserve the best" to bring the country to greater heights.
ReplyDeleteTowards the end of his 90-minute speech, Najib apologised to all Malaysians for any shortcomings of the Umno and government leadership and promised to rectify them. This prompted the 2,722 delegates and thousands others in the packed Merdeka Hall to stand up as the president, choked with emotion, read out an oath. Some of the delegates punched the air, chanted Allahuakhbar, while some women shed tears.
ReplyDeleteEarlier, in his speech, broadcast live and with his predecessors, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, among the guests in the hall, Najib introduced what he called the concept of "transformative continuity", saying that Umno had been able to effect changes and improvements for the country even though leaders come and go. "It means the ruling party continues to formulate new methods catering for the country's present needs. We always continue to affect changes and improvements with aggressive ideas, policies and programme."
ReplyDeleteOn the idea espoused by the opposition that they should be given the chance to prove themselves at governing the country, Najib said Malaysians could not afford to take such a gamble.
ReplyDeleteNajib stressed the coming general election would be an extraordinary one. "It will be the defining point for the people's and nation's destiny... it's going to be a choice of either a Malaysia which is developed and based on a shared aspiration or a Malaysia which is backward and divided by an invisible wall tainted by suspicions and prejudices."
ReplyDeletePresenting various internationally recognised successes achieved by the country under the present administration, Najib stressed that they were enjoyed by Malaysians irrespective of race.
ReplyDeleteIn comparison, he said the opposition's Buku Jingga, which contains 59 pledges for the coming election, would cause a disaster which would ultimately lead the country to lose it economic sovereignty in three years.
ReplyDeleteThis outcome, he said, should not be a surprise as the person who led the drafting of those pledges was the same person who had failed to manage the country's economy when he was the finance minister during the financial crisis in 1997-98.
ReplyDeleteNow leading the opposition coalition, he said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should be deemed a "political chame-leon", who would say different things to a different audience.
ReplyDeleteOn the virulent attacks by Pas of late, Najib said it was inappropriate for Pas to slander and accuse Umno of being unIslamic as it had always fought for and defended Islam.
ReplyDeleteHe recalled Pas president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang had, in the 1980s, initiated a decree that fellow Muslims who supported Umno were infidels due to the party's cooperation with non-Muslims in BN. "Now, Pas itself is cooperating with a party which is clearly against their aspiration to set up an Islamic state," he said, in reference to DAP which is Pas' partner in the opposition coalition.
ReplyDeleteNajib, among others, also highlighted various initiatives introduced by the BN-led government which has turned Malaysia into the only country with the most comprehensive Islamic banking and financial system in the world.
ReplyDeleteHe said Malaysia had also sent its peace-keeping troops, military observers and medical teams to Muslim countries in conflict, apart from brokering peace in the southern Philippines and also supported the Palestinians to get their sovereign state. "God willing, Malaysia will be the first country to open its embassy in the capital of an independent and sovereign Palestine," he said to thunderous applause from the delegates and 52 foreign observers, including those from Palestine.
ReplyDeleteNajib also hit out at DAP for its failure to practise democracy in the party when its top leaders were related and only one Malay was among its 30 central committee members. "DAP claims to be the most democratic party in the country, but we all know that it is a party of father, son and daughter-in-law," he said, in reference to DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, his son Lim Guan Eng, who is secretary-general and Penang chief minister, and daughter-in-law assemblywoman Betty Chew.
ReplyDeleteNajib added such practices of nepotism was also prevalant in Parti Keadilan Rakyat, led by its unelected leader Anwar, whose wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail is the president and daughter Nurul Izzah, the vice-president.
ReplyDeleteReminding the delegates on the successes of Umno in improving the well-being of Malays, such as the creation of a middle-class group and eradication of poverty among them, Najib stressed the party had and would always also strive to assist those of other races in need. "We want the prosperity of this country to be shared and no Malaysian be marginalised."
ReplyDeleteNajib said ever since he took over the helm of the government, focus had been given to efforts of fulfilling the aspirations of a united Malaysia and delivering the promises made to the people. The Umno president also cautioned Malaysians on attempts by the opposition to undermine the country's institutions such as the ongoing attacks against the Election Commission in the run-up to the election.
ReplyDeleteThese include organising streets demonstrations which had turned violent and attempts to invite foreign interference such as the one initiated by Anwar for the Australian government to be an observer in the coming election. "This is because in the event they (the opposition) lose in the election, they can dismiss the fact that they do not have the support of the people and instead lay the blame on the EC, which they claim to be unfair and not credible."
ReplyDeleteNajib also pointed out that Umno and its allies had always been transparent in how they ruled the country as compared to the opposition coalition which had been "secretive" when confronted with questions on what form of government and policies the country would have if they managed to take over Putrajaya.
ReplyDeleteExpressing confidence that Umno had regained its footing after the dismal outing in the 2008 polls, Najib said party mem-bers must never forget the "bitter lessons". "Our achievements have indeed been significant. We had, among others, been successful in shielding the country from the global economic crisis, putting back our economy on a solid footing and taking Malaysia out of the middle-income country trap. "We had also charted a careful and detailed path for Malaysia to attain high-income developed country status."
ReplyDelete"On top of this, the rakyat are now even more intelligent and better at differentiating between good and bad. "The voters are now also better at evaluating the empathy shown by the candidates for the people and know whether it is genuine or just for show during an election."
ReplyDeleteThere is no small issue in politics. It is very important for us to be empowered and take action in the best way possible. Let's casting our vote and making our voice heard. It come only once in five years, its our right, duty and also our responsibility. Our vote can make difference to the future of Malaysia.
ReplyDeleteAwareness toward political issues is very important. It is the time we can make our voice heard. Democracy used in short of "Liberal Democracy" consist of elements such as political pluralism; equality before the law; the right to petition of elected officials. The main importance of democracy is the participation of the people in naming their representative.
ReplyDeleteThis time people can become an active member of the society and give full support for their representative. Believe or not, the power of voting is the power of change, its the power of making a mark in history and voicing our opinion. Let's vote!
Played our roles as an Malaysian citizen, vote for new change and for better future. No time for experimenting...
ReplyDeleteWhy is it important to vote? Looking at the definition of voting itself, it is a privilege, right and duty of each and every component of a democratic system. It is our moral responsibility of all eligible citizens of Malaysia.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that individual vote doesn't matter? May be some also think that none of the presented candidates deserve to be in power, and thus don't even bother about going to vote for new government? Here is the truth, never underestimate your single vote it is actually important for the sake of our country.
I will come out and vote.
ReplyDeleteYouths are more picked up these days
ReplyDeleteOf course I want a peaceful country
ReplyDeleteIt will be decided by all of us
ReplyDeleteUndi adalah rahsia
ReplyDeleteWe will shape our country
ReplyDeleteWe will be the decision makers
ReplyDeleteJadi pilihla yang terbaik
ReplyDeleteThe oppositions are bickering now
ReplyDeleteSoon we will know who is the king maker
ReplyDeleteThe strong understanding, cooperation and cohesiveness that Barisan Nasional component parties are known for could not be more evident than in the willingness of MCA to “loan” some seats to its coalition partners in order to secure greater victory in the general election.
ReplyDeleteIn this election, MCA has stepped aside to let Umno field its candidates in the Gelang Patah, Wangsa Maju and Kuantan parliamentary seats. Datuk Shafei Abdullah and Datuk Mohamed Suffian Awang, who will be contesting the Wangsa Maju and Kuantan seats respectively, spoke of MCA's sacrifices in the name of Barisan's spirit.
ReplyDeleteShafei, who is Wangsa Maju Umno division chief and Suffian, who is Kuantan Umno Youth chief, said MCA was “big hearted” to loan the seats to another component party and was looking after the interest of Barisan above that of the party.
ReplyDeleteBoth Shafei and Suffian, who are political secretaries to the Prime Minister are standing for election for the first time and are confident to get the support of voters in the area, including the Chinese.
ReplyDelete“I may be from Umno but I am representing Barisan and people will look at me as the coalition's candidate.” said Shafie, 55, describing the working spirit among component parties in the constituency as solid.
ReplyDeleteThe 42-year-old Suffian, who is a lawyer, said response from Kuantan constituents including the Chinese community when they knew that he was the candidate had been “extremely good”.
ReplyDeleteMCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek had said that MCA's move to loan some of its seats to other component parties was part of a “think out of the box” strategy to ensure the coalition does well in the elections.
ReplyDeleteDr Chua, who appealed to party members to look at the bigger picture said he understood their frustrations but they should put aside pride and concentrate on making sure Barisan wins.
ReplyDeleteWangsa Maju has 67,775 voters, of which 55% are Malay, 36% Chinese and 9% Indian.
ReplyDeleteKuantan's parliamentary constituency has 56,280 voters, with 65% Malay, 33% Chinese and 1% Indian.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteDS Najib is the best PM so far who can feel the hope and aspiration of the rakyat. He is a man who can be trusted ccompared to the opposition leader. JUal temberang saja lebih.
BN dulu,kini dan selamanya.
My prediction is 99.9% of the STAR, PPS and Independent candidates will lose thier deposit. For PKR candidates i predict 99.9% will lose in the elction but without losing thier deposit.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course a big victory for BN's candidate.
Musa said, “We know that the people would assess wisely and choose the BN rather than the opposition which are not united and cannot really be trusted,”
ReplyDeleteso, as a Malaysian, we must do our job and cast our votes wisely
ReplyDeletetrue...it is not easy to select a new government which totally hasn't had the experience of managing a country.
ReplyDeleteindeed..politicians who make the wrong decisions can affect the lives of millions.
ReplyDeleteand all the politicians should behave humanely and choose a righteous course.
ReplyDeleteWho is the born leader? Anuar? He was in the government before for seventeen years. What had been done by him in Sabah that we Sabahan can be proud of him. Even during economic crises when he was a Finance Minister he couldn't solve the crises.
ReplyDeleteTIBAI=TOLAK INDIVIDU BERNAMA ANUAR IBRAHIM.
Vote for DS Najib, the best PM so far.
Anuar Ibrahim is good in giving talks. That cannot be denied. BUt talking loud like the empty tin is pointless. His party PKR is "Parti Kelentong Rakyat"
ReplyDeleteMenjelang pilihanraya ramai yang mahu jadi YB (Yang Bertanding.
ReplyDeleteSelepas pilihanraya yang menang akan jadi YB(Yang Berhormat), dan tidak kurang juga di kalangan yang kalah ramai yang jadi YB(Yang Berhutang). Namun berapa ramai kah yang benar-benar menjadi YB(Yang Berkhidmat)kepada rakyat?
rakyat kena buat pilihan yang terbaik, undi rakyat akan menentukan masa depan negara
ReplyDeletekesilapan membuat pilihan akan memusnahkan masa depan kita
ReplyDeleteSemua terletak ditangan rakyat untuk memilih.
ReplyDeleteRakyat harus tau dan bijak memilih. Jangan terikut-ikut dengan cakap kosong dan janji kosong yang di beri. Nanti menyesal.
ReplyDeleteBN telah memberi yang terbaik kepada rakyt. Terus menyokong.
ReplyDelete