UMNO swimming in Pelangai?...

UMNO swimming in Pelangai?....

 

The coming by-election this weekend in Pahang is yet another test for the grand old party, Umno at a time when it has been struggling for political support. Created in 1986, this rural/semi-rural constituency, a couple of hours outside of Kuala Lumpur, has long been an Umno stronghold.

For eight terms, Pelangai was held by Umno’s former menteri besar Adnan Yaakob before he retired in 2018. The late Johari Harun was a first-term representative elected last November, hoping to bring new ideas for development in an area that combines Felda settlements with a small town.

This piece details the voting history in this constituency, arguing that there are four factors that will shape the outcome of this election - Umno’s Malay support, loyalty among non-Malay BN voters, crossover of Pakatan Harapan non-Malay voters to Umno, and Umno’s persistent strength among younger voters in Pelangai.

Pelangai’s voting history replicates that of the past, when Umno was strong. This election will indicate whether the party is able to hold onto its past and maintain a stronghold seat and slow PAS’ extension of power.

Another Malay battle...

Pelangai is a Malay majority seat, with 72 percent Malay voters in a seat of 16,456 voters. Most Malays live in the Felda areas, so in this regard, the battle is also another Felda contest. In the 2022 election, Umno won an estimated 59 percent of the Malay vote in Pelangai, with Perikatan Nasional picking up only an estimated 35 percent and Harapan a mere estimated five percent.

This result speaks to how much of a Umno stronghold this seat is. Compared to other seats in Pahang, where Umno’s overall Malay support in this state was only an estimated 42 percent and PN’s an estimated 49 percent, Pelangai bucked the trend as Malay voters confidently stayed loyal to Umno. Since 2022, Malay support for Umno has eroded further as PN made gains across elections from as much as an estimated 22 percent gain in the state elections of Negeri Sembilan to an estimated seven percent in Kelantan in August’s six state elections.

The party leading in gains among Malays is PAS, contesting in Pelangai. Two key questions in assessing this contest are 1) how much will PAS gain among Malays in Pelangai and 2) whether this amount will be enough to win. Scenarios suggest that PAS can win Pelangai if it is able to secure 62 to 68 percent of the Malay vote, depending on turnout. This figure lies comfortably in the national patterns of Malay support for PN and PAS, but is a significant gain in Pahang (by at least 13 percent) and an even larger gain given the history of Pelangai (gain of 27 to 33 percent).

On the scope of Malay support swing alone needed to change the seat’s fortunes, Umno has a reasonable chance of retaining Pelangai. Yet, recent elections do show that a big “Green” swing is not impossible to achieve for PAS. The saliency of their campaign “Pahlawan Melayu” (Malay warrior) clearly points to Malay gains, but it is unclear whether it will reach the threshold for victory, as Malay votes is only one of many factors influencing the outcome.

BN’s non-Malay loyalty...

The second factor that will shape the outcome of the seat will be non-Malay support. Pelangai comprises 18 percent Chinese voters, six percent Indians and four percent Orang Asli and other communities. Each of these communities will shape the result, given the increasing competitiveness of the constituency.

What distinguishes this seat from the national pattern is the limited polarisation of voting along ethnic lines. Umno/BN won large shares of support among all of the communities in this seat, especially Orang Asli (estimated 82 percent) and Indians (estimated 51 percent). Even among Chinese voters, Umno/BN won an estimated 45 percent. The party did this in collaboration with its BN partners, MCA and MIC, as well as the pull of the Umno-led state government.

In many ways, voters in Pelangai will not only be deciding whether Umno’s Malay base is comfortable being in the unity government, but also whether non-Malay voters who voted for BN in the past are comfortable in the unity government. There is dissatisfaction among some non-Malay BN voters who feel left out of the unity government, but it is not yet clear whether this will be decisive.

Noteworthy, however, is that PN did not win any support from non-Malays in 2022. PAS will hope to make gains, picking up on possible disgruntlement. It will face an uphill task, as PAS support among non-Malays in Pahang in the past two elections has been extremely low.

 

Harapan crossover to Umno...

Non-Malays in this seat, whether they return to vote and who they vote for, will matter. As Malay support drops for Umno, there is greater dependence on non-Malay support. Another factor in this seat will be whether there will be Harapan crossover to Umno, notably whether Chinese and Indian voters will support the latter. These communities turned out less than others in 2022, but turnout levels were reasonably high then.

This by-election turnout and Harapan crossover to Umno will be crucial. Depending on the level of turnout and the scope of Malay swing, Umno will need at a minimum of a third of traditional Harapan Chinese support and half of traditional Harapan Indian support to hold onto the seat.

It will also need to win over the estimated five percent of Malays who voted for Harapan in 2022 but are not asked to vote for Umno. Ironically, Umno now depends on the support of voters who have long opposed it.

The national trend has been a growing electoral co-dependence among unity government parties/coalitions, with crossover votes essential for securing victories in now primary two-major contenders contests. Pelangai puts the spotlight on how much Umno is now dependent on support that it has not won before.

Youth factor...

Another group that Umno will depend on is younger voters, an issue that was tied to the controversy about the selection of the candidate from Umno. Unlike the national trend, Umno won the majority of younger voters under 30 years of age, an estimated 60 percent in 2022. These voters make up a quarter of the electorate in Pelangai.

The age group that Umno had the least support in 2022 is another quarter of the electorate, those in their 40s, where the party only won an estimated 48 percent. PN will be focusing on these two groups of voters under 40 years of age in this election, hoping to win over youth voters as it has done elsewhere.

Umno’s ability to hold youth support will be decisive. Reminiscent of the Mat Kilau film, the “pahlawan” imagery is geared toward strengthening its appeal as the PAS campaign moves away from its Islamist roots to a broader ethnonationalist message.

Relevancy for Umno

The stakes for this by-election may appear little nationally, but, for Umno, the Pelangai result will go to the heart of its future, nationally and in Pahang. Given the stakes that the Umno state leadership has invested in the campaign, securing a seat of a former MB, its electoral strength is also being tested.

The campaign has prominently featured the use of incumbency at the state level and access to the federal government, suggesting that a PN victory will not yield gains to voters. This reliance on incumbency is an old message Umno has used in the past that it hopes will continue to be relevant.

In Pelangai, Umno is working to reaffirm its relevancy. Its leaders are not connecting to the same degree as in the past. The outcome will indicate whether the party is able to swim, merely tread water or is in fact drowning from lower support from voters, both young and old and across communities.

The result will indicate whether it is holding onto enough of its base. It will also indicate whether the party can begin to secure a new base through its electoral co-dependence on its unity partners and through a crossover vote. Unlike in the past, this Umno stronghold seat is competitive. It is far from a sure win for the party.

If Umno loses and PAS does beat the odds and secure a victory in the former’s traditional stronghold, Umno will indeed be drowning well beyond the levels described by its leaders in the campaign. Indications a few days out of the voting day are that Umno should have its head above water, but it is still struggling to swim. - Bridget Welsh. - mk

PMX turun bukan tanda Umno terdesak...

Suasana di sekitar kawasan DUN Pelangai lebih hingar-bingar daripada biasa. Sebabnya Perdana Menteri Anwar Ibrahim turun ke kawasan itu dari petang hingga ke tengah malam untuk bersua muka dan bertentang mata dengan pengundi seramai mungkin. Tiga majlis diatur untuk PMX, bermula dengan “Karnival Segalanya Felda” di Felda Chemomoi. Selepas solat Maghrib, beliau kemudian ke majlis Kenduri Rakyat sempena ulang tahun ke-36 Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) di Kampung Agropolitan Chemomoi yang berdekatan.

Pada waktu yang hampir sama dengan majlis kedua itu, pengacara majlis di Ceramah Mega Perpaduan Madani di Dataran Simpang Pelangai sibuk mengehadkan masa barisan penceramah kepada masing-masing lima minit saja untuk meluangkan secukup masa kepada Anwar sebagai penutup ceramah.

Pimpinan Barisan Nasional (BN) dan Pakatan Harapan (PH) daripada Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Sharkar Shamsudin, Shamsulkahar Mohd Deli, Rosni Zahari, Mohamad Alamin, Isa Samad, Mohd Nizar Najib, Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi, Aminolhuda Hassan, T Murugiah, Young Syefura Othman, Lokman Noor Adam, Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki dan Mohd Sany Hamzan semuanya dihambat supaya turun pentas melewati lima minit.

Ahli Majlis Kerja Tertinggi (MKT) Umno Ahmad Maslan pun hanya sempat menjual empat rangkap pantun dan setibanya perdana menteri, mengumumkan: “Saya rasa saya nak baca pantun ni di hadapan perdana menterilah ya. Bandar Kuantan ada hikayat, kisah bersemi cerita bersama, kita berjuang untuk rakyat, dulu kini dan selama-lama.” Ahli politik akan sentiasa cari peluang untuk skor poin! Cuma Presiden Amanah Mohamad Sabu dan Presiden Umno Zahid Hamidi mendapat sedikit tambahan masa di pentas ceramah itu.

Anwar memanfaatkan kira-kira sejam ceramahnya untuk menjelaskan isu-isu semasa yang antara lain merangkumi topik mengapa kerajaan perpaduan pimpinannya dicemburui dan akan kekal sehingga habis penggal, adanya usaha untuk memecah-belah, pentingnya tatakelola yang amanah, usaha berterusan membanteras rasuah, kenaikan harga barang yang mendapat perhatian kerajaan sehinggalah kepada kekurangan beras tempatan di pasaran.

Perdana menteri juga meminta pengundi agar tidak melihat rakan dalam kerajaan perpaduan, DAP sebagai musuh, apatah lagi parti itu melalui setiausaha agungnya Loke Siew Fook menyokong dalam mesyuarat Jemaah Menteri langkah melupuskan hutang peneroka sebanyak RM8.3 bilion. Nada pertuturannya serius dan tegas sambil Anwar mengakhiri ceramahnya diiringi calon BN Amizar Abu Adam di atas pentas untuk diperkenalkannya kepada khalayak sebagai pilihan untuk terus membela nasib mereka.

Mungkin bukanlah sangat isu-isu berkenaan yang menjadi perhatian, sebaliknya kedatangan perdana menteri dikatakan untuk melonjakkan sokongan kepada calon Umno itu dalam PRK Pelangai, Sabtu ini, pada ketika parti kerajaan itu didakwa sedang berdepan ujian getir kerana meningkatnya “gelombang hijau” PN di kawasan berkenaan.

Khamis lalu, Wan Rosdy selaku pengarah pilihan raya bagi PRK Pelangai ketika berucap kepada jentera BN di Kampung Jawi Jawi dekat Bentong berkata laporan yang diterimanya menunjukkan sokongan pengundi masih belum memihak kepada BN. Malah, menteri besar Pahang itu memberitahu penyokong BN di DUN Pelangai supaya menasihatkan anak-anak mereka yang tidak menetap di kawasan itu agar tidak pulang mengundi jika tidak menyokong BN.

DUN Pelangai dianggarkan memiliki kira-kira 2,000 pengundi luar dengan kebanyakannya menetap dan bekerja di Lembah Klang. “Anak-anak kita yang berada di luar, kalau dia tak bersama dengan kita, tak payah suruh balik. Biar duduk di Kolumpo (Kuala Lumpur) je. Mengacau je. Biar kita je yang menguruskan kampung halaman kita,” katanya. Beliau kemudian menjelaskan bahawa kenyataannya itu sekadar berseloroh.

Pemerhati mengandaikan BN kini di depan tapi belum selesa di sebalik PN — seperti kempen di Pulai dan Simpang Jeram bulan lalu – terus menyerang Zahid yang didakwa mereka mendapat DNAA kerana campur tangan eksekutif serta kononnya Melayu-Islam terancam ekoran kerjasama Umno dengan DAP. PN juga menggesa pengundi menambah wakil pembangkang di DUN Pahang.

Ahli MKT Umno Sharkar yang saban hari membantu jentera BN-Umno menolak kedatangan perdana menteri sebagai isyarat parti itu memerlukan bantuannya untuk melonjakkan sokongan pada minggu kedua kempen dengan jangkaan PN juga akan menampilkan pemimpin tertinggi mereka pada beberapa hari terakhir ini. Pengerusi BN Muhyiddin Yassin juga turun ke Simpang Pelangai dan berakhir di Felda Chemomoi malam tadi.

“Memang perebutan sebenar adalah di kawasan Felda – Felda Chemomoi, Felda Sungai Kemasul dan Felda Sungai Kemahal (di mana PN mendapat sokongan kira-kira 45% pada PRU15, lebih-lebih lagi dalam kalangan pengundi muda).

“PM, yang diketahui punya jadual padat dan akan ke Emiriah Arab Bersatu (UAE) Khamis ini, mahu menemui sendiri pengundi sebelum lawatan itu. Memang biasanya dalam mana-mana PRK, PM tak turun tapi ini bukan tanda Umno sedang terdesak. Ini selepas TPM (Zahid) datang dua malam berturut-turut pada Ahad dan Isnin. 

“Lagipun, PM turun ke Pelangai memberi optik yang baik. Memang kita nak santuni pengundi mengikut segmen yang berbeza-beza dan seboleh-bolehnya kita mahu mendatangi terus kepada mereka,” kata Sharkar.

Kelebihan di pihak Umno tentunya sokongan masyarakat bukan Melayu, yang merangkumi 28% pengundi di DUN Pelangai. Keputusan PRU lalu menunjukkan BN dan PH meraih jumlah undi lebih kurang sama di dua pusat daerah mengundi (PDM) majoriti bukan Melayu di Manchis dan Telemong manakala PN ketinggalan jauh di belakang.

Malah, jentera PH-BN harus berasa sedap hati dengan hakikat kempen PN di kawasan-kawasan desa lebih perlahan. Program ceramah malam mereka kurang dihadiri pengundi walaupun menampilkan beberapa pemimpin utama hingga mendorong kempen dari rumah ke rumah dipergiatkan. “Mengikut bacaan kami, jika kami boleh mengekalkan momentum ketika ini, kami boleh menang. Cuma kami tidak mahu berasa terlalu yakin,” kata Sharkar lagi.- Hishamuddin Aun 

Jana Wibawa: Muhyiddin files for 

DNAA in 3 money laundering charges...

Having succeeded in his bid to be freed from four abuse of power charges linked to the Jana Wibawa programme, Muhyiddin Yassin has now filed to be granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) from the remaining three money laundering charges. 

The former prime minister filed the notice of application at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Monday, and his legal team served copies of the application to the prosecution on the same day. Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin confirmed that they have been served copies of Muhyiddin’s application.

Previously, Muhyiddin’s legal team informed the Sessions Court that they intended to file the bid to set aside the three money laundering charges. On Aug 15, the Kuala Lumpur High Court allowed Muhyiddin’s application to nullify the four abuse of power charges against him, resulting in a full acquittal. However, the prosecution has since appealed to the Court of Appeal to reverse this acquittal.

‘Baseless charges’

Unlike a full acquittal, a DNAA opens the possibility of Muhyiddin being recharged for the same offence in the future, if prosecutors wish to do so. According to a copy of Muhyiddin's affidavit in support of the DNAA bid, the Bersatu president contended that the three money laundering charges are now baseless with the nullification of the four abuse of power charges.

The Perikatan Nasional chairperson claimed this was because money laundering charges depend on the existence of predicate (main) criminal charges such as abuse of power. He contended that with the four power abuse charges having been quashed, the three money laundering charges have become baseless.

Money laundering is the offence of disguising financial assets so they can be used without detection of the illegal activity that produced them. Through money laundering, the monetary proceeds derived from criminal activity are transformed into funds with an apparently legal source. In March before the Sessions Court, Muhyiddin claimed trial for four counts of abuse of power and three money laundering charges involving RM232.5 million. - mk

I thought he is very much against DNAA for his political rivals, condemning everyone and yet now asking for DNAA? - PurpleGhoper1703

Din should personally drag his son in law back to Malaysia to stand trial coz he and his son in law's cases are interrelated. Without his son in law how to to ask DNAA? He must be thinking the court is as intelligent as the people who support PN. - Angin Lintang

DPM got DNAA. You also try lah!!! - Smart Psychedelic Idiot

cheers.

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Zahid as Home Minister, wonder who is the real PM...

Zahid as Home Minister, wonder who is the real PM....

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should not be put under any pressure to reshuffle his Cabinet, says Umno vice-president Johari Ghani. The Titiwangsa MP said that, as in any other country, such decisions are the sole prerogative of the prime minister.

“In any government, the prime minister has the exclusive decision (on a reshuffle),” he told reporters after a visit to the Sungai Gapoi Orang Asli settlement in Bentong. “We have to let the prime minister make his choice. Whether he wants to reshuffle (the Cabinet) or not, that’s his sole prerogative. “We cannot put any pressure on the prime minister. We have chosen him as our prime minister, and we have to support him,” he said.

Johari said the public had to take into account the fact that Anwar’s unity government was set up only 10 months ago and had to deal with various global economic challenges while the government coalition’s component parties also needed to adjust to working with each other.

“It’s like playing football. The prime minister will decide his team. He can’t be playing on his own. Every player on a team has his expertise, but they need time to acclimatise themselves,” said Johari who was a second finance minister from 2016-18.

Speculation about a reshuffle had arisen lately after the death of Salahuddin Ayub, the domestic trade and cost of living minister. On Friday, Anwar was asked by reporters if there could be changes soon. Anwar simply said: “I am thinking (about it).”

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi this evening hinted that a Cabinet reshuffle was imminent, days after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he was “thinking about it”. Zahid, who is deputy prime minister, said a reshuffle was in order as no one had been appointed to succeed Salahuddin Ayub as the minister for domestic trade and cost of living since he died in July.

“There has to be one (a Cabinet reshuffle). I think it will take place soon,” Zahid said, according to Bernama. Zahid’s comments on a possible reshuffle came a day after Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari shot down rumours that he would be made a minister.

Asked about talk that he would be appointed as the home minister, Zahid said he was prepared to accept any responsibility entrusted to him. Zahid was home minister from 2013-2018. Separately, the current home minister, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who is also secretary-general of PKR, declined to comment when asked about a rumour he would replace Salahuddin, Bernama reported. - fmt

cheers.

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Orang bukan Islam dengan al-Quran...

Orang bukan Islam dengan al-Quran....

Saya tidak kenal secara peribadi Howard Lee, Ahli Parlimen Ipoh Timor dari DAP. Pun begitu pada hemat saya beliau pemimpin muda yang ada masa depan politik cerah kerana dilihat bijak, punya banyak idea bagus dan rajin.Lee juga petah. Ucapannya menarik pada segi kandungan juga persembahan. Bila berucap dalam bahasa Melayu sering juga loghat Perak digunakan. Suke bebenor teman.

Lee sekarang sedang disiasat polis berhubung video memaparkan beliau memetik terjemahan al-Quran yang dimuat naik di media sosial. Siasatan dilancarkan susulan laporan dibuat NGO Jalinan Bersatu Sahabat Perak. Ertinya polis sudah buka kertas siasatan dan menjalankan tugas dengan segera.

Tetapi Menteri Besar Kedah Sanusi Nor selaku panglima perang PAS masih mahu “menggesa” polis menjalankan siasatan ke atas Lee yang beliau anggap melakukan kesalahan “begitu besar” serta “sangat sensitif” buat masa depan negara, seperti dilapor Malaysiakini semalam. Dakwa Sanusi lagi, jika tindakan tidak diambil ke atas Lee, kemarahan akan meningkat dan mungkin mendorong orang ramai turun ke jalan raya. “Jangan sampai rakyat marah dan berhimpun di Kuala Lumpur berjuta juta (orang). Pada masa itu kami pula jadi salah”.

Banyak lagi yang Sanusi katakan yang saya tidak mahu huraikan di sini. Namun rumusannya Sanusi desak polis buat kerja yang polis sudah buat, yakni menyiasat meski pun Sanusi ketika mendesak berkata “terima kasih kepada polis” diikuti gesaan “siasat betul betul”. Pelik tetapi apabila melaporkan kata-kata beliau, “kepelikan” mesti dihadapi. Tak apa. Saya ulangi Sanusi mahu polis siasat Lee ketika polis sudah pun menjalankan siasatan. Adakah beliau mahu “ajar” polis macam mana jalankan tugas?

Adakah kata-kata beliau boleh disifatkan provokasi? Terhadap polis dan juga orang ramai yang beliau dakwa akan “berjuta-juta” turun ke jalan raya di Kuala Lumpur? Apa perlunya Sanusi berkata demikian? Jawapannya bagi saya boleh didapati dengan mengambil kira di mana beliau berkata.

Sanusi berucap pada ceramah di Simpang Pelangai pada malam 23 Sept lalu di depan kira-kira seribu orang. Itu hari kedua kempen rasmi sempena PRK Pelangai. Hari pengundian ditetapkan 7 Okt ini. Pilihan raya kecil diadakan berikutan kematian Allahyarham Johari Harun dari BN pada 17 Ogos lalu. Ertinya Sanusi berkempen menggunakan kes Lee untuk meraih undi. Lebih soal politik daripada soal agama. Pada hari pertama kempen rasmi dijalankan pun Sanusi telah membangkitkan kes Lee semasa berceramah di Felda Kemasul.

Antaranya beliau dilapor berkata “Sekarang tak nampak kesan (tapi) 10 tahun akan datang apek pakai seluar pendek yang mengajar al-Quran di masjid”. Boleh timbul kemarahan dan kebimbangan orang Melayu Islam.Hakikatnya Sanusi dan PAS tangkas mengambil kesempatan dengan timbulnya kes Lee. Cekap. Kena angkat songkok kepada mereka.

Lebai2 Non-Muslim PAS buat tafsiran OK pula!!!

Berbalik soal pokok isu ini. Media melaporkan NGO yang membuat laporan polis terhadap Lee berpandangan pemimpin DAP itu “sengaja menghina Islam” memandangkan beliau bukan beragama Islam tetapi mentafsir ayat al-Quran justeru “menyentuh perkara 3R iaitu membabitkan agama, raja dan kaum”.

Semuanya dikatakan dipersembahkan melalui video. Saya tidak pasti sama ada video lama yang pernah dipertontonkan atau video baharu yang dihasilkan Lee. Apa pun Setiausaha Eksekutif Majlis Ulama Umno Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali berpendapat tidak salah bagi orang bukan Islam berhujah dengan al-Quran sebagaimana huraian alim ulama.

Menurut Khairuddin beliau telah dengar rakaman video seorang Ahli Parlimen bukan beragama Islam yang menyebut tentang ketaatan kepada pemimpin dengan memetik firman Allah. “Tiada yang salah dalam hujahan beliau kerana itulah yang telah dihuraikan oleh para alim ulama Islam tentang kepentingan ketaatan kepada ulil amri dalam Islam.”

Tidak dapat ditentukan sama Kharuddin merujuk video Lee kerana beliau tidak menyebut nama sesiapa selain berkata “video rakaman Ahli Parlimen bukan Islam”. Mungkin atau pasti di kalangan golongan pro Gelombang Hijau mempertikaikan pendapat Khairuddin kerana beliau “dulu PAS kini Umno”.

Maka elok juga diimbas kembali apa yang berlaku pada April 2009. Setiausaha DAP Perak Nga Kor Ming ketika itu berceramah menggunakan ayat al-Quran. Mursyidul Am PAS Nik Aziz Nik Mat menegaskan tindakan itu tidak mempunyai apa apa kesalahan. “Siapa pun nak guna ayat al-Quran patutnya dia guna lama dah. Ini kesan gelombang kebangkitan Islam”, kata Allahyarham Nik Aziz ketika itu. Komennya masih boleh diikuti menerusi YouTube.

Kesimpulan saya ialah apabila orang bukan Islam menggunakan ayat al-Quran ia sepatutnya digalakkan dan jika orang itu silap mestilah ditegur dan diajar cara yang betul. Turut mengulas kes Nga 14 tahun lalu ialah pesuruhjaya PAS Perak ketika itu Ahmad Awang. Kata beliau “kalau salah betulkanlah. Kalau salah baca terus suruh hentikan, bila seseorang itu nak fasih dan nak jadi pandai”. Nasihat yang sentiasa relevan.

Bolehkah istilah “gelombang kebangkitan Islam” yang digunakan Nik Aziz dulu diibaratkan “gelombang hijau” yang dikaitkan dengan kemaraan PAS masa kini? (sekurang-kurangnya bila bercakap mengenai prestasi parti itu pada PRN di enam negeri tidak lama dulu).

Jika boleh PAS seharusnya berbangga Lee menggunakan al-Quran kerana itu “kesan” gelombang dan tidak membuat bising. Tetapi bisinglah yang menjadi pilihan kerana seperti dikatakan tadi ia peluang untuk mendapat sokongan politik. Disamping menyerang balas kerana Lee dalam memetik ayat al-Quran turut mengkritik keras kepimpinan PAS.- Mohsin Abdullah

Nak siasat Lee siasat sama puak PAS yg lagi ramai guna ayat al quran.. Sharifahsalmah7605

Pas ni kalau dipihak depa semua ok. Tapi kalau dipihak org lain, salah belaka - Gooplay5673

Saya ada tonton begitu bannyak video2 dlm cramah2 PAS yg mana banyak bukan muslim baca dan tafsir Al Quran. Ada siapa bising? Siap takbir lagi. Mimpi jumpa nabi berkali2 pulak tu. Jangan nampak salah silap org saja salah sendiri kenapa di diamkan jgan hipokrit.  - GreatMY-rd4vc

Masa DAP bersama PAS seorang pemimpin DAP Nga Kor Meng membaca ayat quran di sokong pula oleh pimpinan lebai di angkat oleh UAI. Bila DAP tidak bersama PAS Hoverd Lee membaca tafsiran al quran sehaja sudaj di caci maki hingga membuat laporan kepada polis. Ini lah sikap dan menteliti PAS. - KarimKarim-wn4rn

Quranic verse saga: Lee apologises 

for Gerakan, PAS wing as well...

DAP lawmaker Howard Lee has apologised for the “inconvenience” caused by his interpretation of a Quranic verse, which has become the subject of a police investigation and courted brickbats from Perikatan Nasional. However, his remark appeared to be peppered with sarcasm since he roped in the PN component party Gerakan and the PAS non-Muslim supporters club as well.

“I take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience that this may have caused. “And I also apologise for all of my non-Muslim friends from other parties, Gerakan and other parties as well as those from the PAS non-Muslim supporters wing who have also quoted Quranic verses in the political context,” he told a press conference held at the Ipoh Timor MP community centre in Ipoh, Perak today.

He addressed the press after giving his statement to the police at 2pm today at the Perak contingent police headquarters.The Ipoh Timor MP also denied that he interpreted the Quran, asserting that he had only quoted from it. “I use the term 'quoting' because the accusation is that I was interpreting. I was not interpreting; I was just quoting that verse."

He also said that apart from doing his own research, he consulted with several Islamic experts and ustaz (clerics) on the matter. “I did not interpret it on my own, I quoted the interpretation of that verse that was taught by the wise and the pious. Not only in Islamic matters but all the topics that I want to comment on (but) are not my expertise, I will do my own research first, including talking to the religious people and a few clerics (ustaz),” he clarified.

Lebai2 PAS lidah bercabang...

“I’m also dubious about why Dewan Himpunan Pendukung PAS (DHPP) can quote Quranic verses and even recite them in Arabic, while I only quote the interpretations without reciting them in Arab. “I want to ask if there has been a police report lodged against DHPP as well?”

Speaking at the press conference today, Lee revealed that the apology was made following recommendations by Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who advised him not to use Quranic verses when discussing politics in the future. “It was not (a piece of advice) from the DAP leadership (for me to apologise). It was Asyraf’s suggestion (for Lee to apologise) to avoid slanderous remarks against me and the religion.”

He also shared Asyraf’s sentiments that PAS had lauded DAP and PKR members for "reading" the Quran when the three parties were part of Pakatan Rakyat. “I’m also dubious about why, in the past, when DAP was in the same coalition with PAS, it was not only allowed to use but encouraged to understand the meaning behind the Quran. “But now, it’s not allowed.” - mk

Be careful engaging PM in 

Parliament - KJ's advice to PN...

Be careful when engaging with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament, former Umno leader Khairy Jamaluddin has “advised” Perikatan Nasional lawmakers. According to Khairy, this is because Anwar is unlike his predecessors, who usually maintained statesman-like behaviour in the august House.

“Here’s an unsolicited advice for PN - the PM now is unlike other PMs. The previous PMs would not engage in shouting matches, they would take a more statesman-like approach to parliamentary affairs.

“PMX (Anwar) is one of the PMs who likes to provoke, true to his street fighter background. “He’s definitely not a statesman in Parliament, so you have to be careful when engaging,” Khairy said in the latest episode of his ‘Keluar Sekejap’ podcast.

He was commenting on the walkout staged by PN lawmakers from the Dewan Rakyat last week during Anwar’s winding-up speech on the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review.

The walkout happened after Anwar took a swipe at Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) for laughing when he was explaining the issue of the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) granted to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Elaborating, Khairy said Radzi “fell into Anwar’s trap”, after the latter singled him out during the parliamentary session. “A serious discussion like that (on the DNAA) should have been more civilised. (But you) can’t blame either side as there was provocation from both sides. It’s unfortunate it had to happen like that,” said Khairy.

Podcast co-host Shahril Hamdan concurred, saying Radzi possibly scored an “own goal”, politically, by reacting the way he did in Parliament. “He (Radzi) should have just given a quick witty response and sat down. Then, the focus would have been on PM’s provocation, but now the focus is on Putrajaya’s (Radzi’s) anger and prolonged tirade in Parliament.”

On the DNAA, Khairy said the issue is now in the court of public opinion as most relevant parties, including Anwar, have commented on it. - mk

He was once a arrogant MP and thinks he can do no wrong because he has a godfather. Then he changed to be "stateman" like because he thinks he is PM material and when that wind force drop, he has to change profession. And now that he could not find a good island to anchor, he became a quite good snake oil salesman doing a political analysis. But probably can be a good standup comedian soon like that guy from Ukraine. But not bad then he can start a war with a powerful nation.- Kopi O Kedah

Yes, KJ. You are perfectly right to blame how PMX reacted because if Radzi’s immaturity in Parliament. Parliament is not pasar malam but Radzi taken as such. He himself to blame snd don’t pass the ball to Anwar. Rakyat fully agree with Anwar’s reaction and comment on Radzi. As leader, he should be firmed and if need to reprimand because of monkey action around, he should. Nothing wrong of PMX and no issue of statesmanship at all here. Keep the stupid comment to yourself, KJ.- OrangKucing 5562

Right advice KJ, these PN MP are good at engaging the kampong folks in Kedah, Kelantan, Trengganu and Perlis only. They are definitely not ready with PMX or anyone else inside the parliament in Kuala Lumpur.- P.Ramlee

cheers.

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Amanpour - Anwar interview garners praise from analysts...

Amanpour - Anwar interview garners praise from analysts....

 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s performance in an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour has received plaudits from analysts, who commended his adept handling of key issues. 

Azmi Hassan, a senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research, offered a holistic perspective, stating that Anwar responded effectively to various topics raised by Amanpour.  He noted that while the interview may not have a significant impact on the international stage, it likely left a positive impression on the domestic audience. 

“The impact will be more pronounced in domestic politics rather than on the international stage,” he told Scoop. “Making an international impact is challenging for any prime minister, including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. However, domestically, I believe the majority of us are satisfied with how Anwar handled Amanpour’s ‘aggressive’ interview.”

Azmi praised Anwar’s responses concerning the Swatch Pride watch bans and Malaysia’s bilateral relationship with China and the United States. However, he pointed out that Anwar fell into Amanpour’s “trap” when addressing Premier Li Qiang’s statement on the dispute, as the question appeared designed to provoke a reaction. 

Azmi suggested that Anwar could have framed his response by highlighting that the South China Sea dispute is not a new challenge for Malaysia. “In that context, I hoped Anwar had answered in those terms because the question was meant to provoke us, even though the dispute is nothing new, and we are not taking sides,” he explained. 

Similarly, K.S. Balakrishnan commended Anwar for addressing all key issues with intelligence and providing valid points regarding the need for the United States to take a more proactive role in maintaining its bilateral relationship with Malaysia.  

“Anwar is excellent at promoting Malaysia’s interests globally, especially with the US,” noted the senior academic from Universiti Malaya. During his interview with Amanpour on CNN, Anwar dismissed criticism of his handling of various internal affairs, emphasising that his decisions were in accordance with the country’s laws.  

He expressed similar sentiments when discussing his deputy, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s conditional discharge, and the ban on Swatch’s Pride collection watches featuring LGBTQ+ elements. Nevertheless, the Tambun MP stressed that the action against the watch bans should not lead to the harassment of the LGBTQ+ community, even though public acceptance of it remains low. 

It is worth noting that Anwar had previously been interviewed by Amanpour in 2014 when he was the opposition leader. He was interviewed once again in May 2018, following his royal pardon. 

Senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, Oh Ei Sun, said Anwar is a seasoned international interviewee, having been extensively interviewed since the 1970s, and so this interview “was just another piece of cake for him”.

“As usual, he was able to at once employ his vast command of vocabulary to tackle the tough questions, and turn them into something positive for his positions,” he said. “It could only be said that he gave smart answers which sounded at once palatable and fashionable, such as the emphasis on democracy, or moderation.”

On whether he believes responses affected Malaysia’s international and domestic reputation, Oh said: “it certainly reinforced his already formidable international reputation, but they may not be conservative enough for the increasing number of religiously oriented domestic audiences.”

“The comparable PMs to Anwar in recent years are Mahathir and Najib, who could also handle international audiences well. So Anwar’s eloquence demonstrated the continuity in Malaysia’s international activism,” he said. – scoop.my

The pot calling the kettle black...

Police must properly investigate Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee for allegedly making his own interpretation of a Quranic verse to avert a repeat of such incident, said Perikatan Nasional election director Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor. If action is not taken, he told a ceramah in Pelangai, Pahang last night, it will further anger Muslims and might lead to them taking to the street.

"In Indonesia, a non-Muslim politician who interpreted a Quranic verse on his own was jailed for two years. But here in Malaysia, police are just starting to investigate (Lee). "Nevertheless, thank you to the police for opening an investigation. (But) you must investigate this case properly.

Last week, Lee, who is a DAP central executive committee member, allegedly made his own interpretation of a Quranic verse on TikTok. Police had since launched an investigation against Lee after receiving reports.

Terasa pelik bila ada pimpinan tertinggi PAS seperti Nusi  yang mempertikai dan membuat provokasi apabila ada bukan dinegara ini yang turut berhujah dengan al-Quran.Malah, dulu ketika PAS bertahaluf dan bekerjasama politik dengan DAP, pemimpin DAP membaca ayat al-Quran di pentas-pentas ceramah PAS dan menjadi kebanggaan PAS pada ketika itu. Usahlah berpolitik seolah Islam hanya milik kita sahaja. Usahlah juga membuat provokasi demi menarik sokongan orang Islam dengan cuba membuat demonstrasi jalanan tetapi menaikkan sentimen kebencian terhadap bukan Islam dinegara ini . Malang sekali dikurun ke 21 kita lihat pemimpin2 yang konon Islam tidak mencerminkan keperibadian sebagai muslim yang boleh dibuat contoh. -  Kamsiah Haider

Who is actually inciting 3R, Lee or Sanusi?Lee was reading and interpreting Surah in AlQuran. PN/Pas politicians are also reading and using AlQuran and Hadith all the time in ceramahs.Lee was merely interpreting based on his little understanding on the surah. Good for him and other non-muslims who are learning. But PN/PAS politicians are making mockery out of the issue and try to instigate - Anonymous

This fellow Sanusi, is out to create racial and religious disharmony among the Malaysian races.This is blatant incitement to violence, since he says thousands will gather in the streets , for what, to go after one person.We all are uncertain as to.the words used by this MP in Ipoh.Let us decent, peace loving Malaysians. going about our daily life , condemn this type of incitement.Let the Police do their duty, in taking action against the MP if indeed he has transgressed the law. - VioletCondor6908

The police should go after Sanusi for instigating the Malays to go to the streets on Howard. No body gets hurt from Howard interpretation. If you ulamas do not agree to the interpretation then say it out. Sanusi has nothing to campaign on except to cause racial friction. This country is going to the dogs with politicians like Sanusi who wants to instigate the kampung folks against the government. - WhiteMoose0037

Msian Muslim will not get angry, they are happy to know that Lee lack of understanding of the Qur'an, is our duty as a Muslim to guide and enlighten him to better understanding. Muslim only very angry with those Muslim politicians wearing a mask to steal the money that supposed to help the poor. - Turnedback

If someone is wrong, correct them. Isn't that what religion teaches? By correcting them you win their respect, not only for yourself, but also for the religion. But when you go for their necks, it contributes to phobia of the religion, and the phobia spreads.So, please do the rightful things - educate those who you think are are ignorant. - Ravinder Singh

cheers.

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❤️Salam Hari Malaysia❤️....

❤️Salam Hari Malaysia❤️.....

cheers

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A 'State-Government 4’ is divisive...

A 'State-Government 4’ is divisive....

 

While PAS seems excited about the creation of a ‘State-Government 4’ or SG4 uniting the four states run by the Islamic party with former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as adviser, many are expressing their disagreement with these plans.Some are saying it is divisive and will create an entity that will supersede the role and interests of the federal government in these states.

According to Scoop, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Razak Faculty of Technology & Informatics lecturer Associate Prof Mazlan Ali said the formation of this grouping is in opposition to the Federal government. It is a move that will isolate the four states altogether and also jeopardise relations with Putrajaya.

Adding to the intensity of the debate is the role that Mahathir is supposed to play in the SG4. The PAS is saying Dr Mahathir’s extensive experience can help the four states under the auspices of Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the investment sector.

Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said that through the cooperation of the SG4, they can further strengthen the potential that exists in the four states.

“Dr Mahathir also has a good relationship with foreign investors such as Japan, Korea and so on,” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying. He also said that Dr Mahathir ‘ordered’ them to be efficient, otherwise investors could run away.

Meanwhile, netizens remain sceptical about Dr Mahathir’s ability to bring foreign investments into the PAS states.

Twitter users have a different sentiment when it comes to this deal. They are unhappy with the steep division that is ongoing in the country. The general feeling among social media users is that Dr Mahathir should retire from the limelight and let the current generation of leaders sort themselves out.

"With Dr M two times as PM of Malaysia for more than 24 years, these four states are what they are now, just wonder not being PM can he bring developments to them? I am not optimistic at all. What happen to so call PN & with BN having govern Malaysia for about 2.5 years? No ideas?" says Jimmy Leu

Seemingly, users are also blaming the former prime minister for the lack of development in these states. Being the leader of the country for almost a quarter of a century, he wasn’t able to do much for these four PAS states. Furthermore, will it be a strong possibility for him to pull in investments now that he is no longer the prime minister?

Meanwhile, Twitter user The Az Report stated:

"You must be kidding. Kenapa pulak pelabur nak put their trust on an elderly mischiefmaker yang senang-senang letak jawatan sehingga mencetuskan keadaan huru-hara. Pelabur nak pemimpin yang level headed, tak dengki mendengki. Move on lah. Tun punya zaman kegemilangan dah over."

The wounds of the first Pakatan Harapan government collapsing in 2020 are still not healed among Malaysians. Many felt that what Dr Mahathir did was an utter betrayal of the people. – focusmalaysia

Quit the endless Bumiputera congresses...

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to address the bumiputera economic congress in January next year. We have had far too many of these “congresses,” which tells us something of their value or lack of. These congresses serve no purpose other than for the inevitable shrill vocalisations of our community’s frustrations. The same tired themes and ineffective remedies would be regurgitated ad nauseam.

As Anwar will be visiting China next week, learn from that nation’s recent history. In the early years of China-America rapprochement, the United States had sent a low-level delegation to Beijing. To the surprise of the delegates, Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping inserted himself and asked the head of the American delegation to phone President Jimmy Carter with the request to accept about 300 Chinese students into American universities.

Dumbfounded by the unusual request as well as Deng’s unexpected appearance, the leader of the American delegation phoned his immediate superior in Washington, DC, who in turn directed him to call the White House. Imagine Carter being awakened in the wee hours of the morning by a phone call from Beijing, and at the height of the still very frosty Cold War. From a low-ranking official to boot! Nonetheless, Carter acceded to the request as it came from Deng.

Today, thousands of Chinese students study in America so much so that they are now considered a security threat. Meanwhile, China is poised to overtake America economically and in many other spheres.

That is the consequential difference between Deng sending China’s best and brightest to elite American colleges versus Mao Zedong earlier banishing them to rural “re-education” camps. There is a lesson there for Malays. Sending thousands of Malays to Arab countries and introducing “hadith study modules” in national schools are but our equivalent of Mao’s re-education camps.

Instead of addressing at another congress, Anwar should gather the headmasters of residential schools with this directive: Send at least three of your students annually to top Western universities or you would be out of a job. How to achieve this objective would be up to them. 

Likewise, a similar mandate to the vice-chancellors of public universities. Direct their STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) departments as well as that of English, economics, and philosophy to send one doctoral candidate annually to top Western institutions.

How best to achieve this would again be left to the academics. That would be far more productive and funds well spent instead of the current obsession with rankings and publishing in journals. A decade hence when Malaysian judges, prosecutors, and attorneys-general would come out of top law schools, we would see fewer of these DNAA (discharge not amounting to acquittal) cases.

Likewise, when the government’s chief secretaries have doctorates from other than Oklahoma State or New Hampshire State but MBAs from the Harvards, only then would we be spared another One Malaysia Berhad. No guarantee of course, but a good bet. Right now Anwar is blamed for their incompetence. He bears that only in so far as he has not been swift in getting rid of them.

Anwar appreciates the value of quality education. Privileged to have been a visiting faculty fellow at such institutions as Oxford and George Washington, he knows the quality of the discourses and intellectual climate on those campuses.

We spent billions on Malay special privileges with little to show for that. We send thousands to mediocre colleges abroad, an exercise in membajakan lallang (nurturing weeds). Likewise, with Malays pursuing Hang Tuah or revealed knowledge and prophetic traditions. We already have a glut of them.

Reward excellence. Give scholarships to Malays admitted to the top 100 global universities (Britain’s Oxbridge, Canada’s McGills as well as America’s Stanfords and the Ivy League) regardless of the field of study chosen. If they are smart enough to be accepted there, they would be better judges of what is best for them, not pompous local Public Service Department officials.

Also, reward those admitted to the next tier but still prestigious top 200-300 universities by giving them full scholarships but only if they were to pursue STEM, English, economics, and similar much-needed disciplines. Choose any other field and they would get a scholarship only if their parents’ income were below a certain threshold. A sliding scale would be applied above that.

Thus, a poor kampung kid accepted to the University of Minnesota (UM) flagship campus in Minneapolis would get a full scholarship regardless of his or her choice of studies. Get accepted to UM’s Duluth campus, however, and you are on your own. Had we done that back then, Malays would today have been spared the likes of Azmin Ali.

As for those qualified only for Universiti Utara Malaysia, they would get study loans but only if they were to pursue STEM and such disciplines as English. No scholarships, period. Pursue such a policy and within a generation, we would never have any need for another bumiputera congress. - M Bakri Musa

cheers.

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PN terkulai di Pulai & Jeram...

PN terkulai di Pulai & Jeram....

cheers.

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