The one term used by politicians

I watched 'Tiger' - a Malayalam movie yesterday.

In a scene, the protagonist played by actor Suresh Gopi says the following:

"The one word used by politicians to cheat people - development."

Looking at the statement from a Malaysian context, certain parties does actually use the term in every election campaign.

And yet, where is the development for the poor? Why are there underdeveloped areas?

Development can also mean development of the mind. This has been neglected and left to rot as every education ministers who takes charge make changes according to their whims.

As a result, our education standards are low.

We may have more universities than Singapore but lesser intellectuals.

Predictions for the 13th General Election

I am aware that I am writing this piece rather early. The 13th general election which is the first under the Najib administration will not take place until 2012 - 2013.

However, using the events of the past fifteen months as a yard stick, I think that the following would take place.

DAP would continue to rule Penang but would lose considerable majority votes.

PAS would lose the inroads that it had built in the multiracial constituencies in Selangor and other states. This is because the Erdogans would never be a force to reckon with within the party. Based on the current split that was caused by Hadi Awang's motion for unity government, the chances for non Muslims to have a say in the Islamist party is bleak.

PKR would lose more seats due to constant internal bickering. This is largely due to the fact that most Malay members have their origins in Umno and will continue to practice Umno's political culture.

Umno, MCA and MIC would gain more ground which would translate as regaining the seats that they have lost in the 12th general election.

As for the voters, the Malay votes would be predominantly for PAS and Umno. The Indian votes would be split with the entrance of Malaysian Makkal Sakthi party and PAHAM.

As for the Chinese they would continue to be the king makers.

Race base politics would continue to flourish since Malaysia has unfortunately been jinxed with it.

The marriage of convenience of Pakatan Rakyat component parties only seem to work best during elections, not when the opportunity to govern is given.

A good example is the 'N - trios' of Perak. Nizar, Ngeh Koo Ham and Nga Kor Ming seem to be a formidable. Unfortunately this bond is not shared by their colleagues in other states.

Another issue for the Pakatan coalition is their choice of candidates. PAS had made a major blunder in trading off the Pasir Mas parliamentary seat to Ibrahim Ali whereas PKR has erred in alloting the Kulim - Bandar Baharu parliamentary seat to Zulkifli Noordin.

Errors must be avoided to ensure the continued support of the people.

Palanivel throws left right jabs on Subra

With the MIC election for the deputy president post being less than 2 months away, incumbent G Palanivel has countered S Subramaniam with left-right jabs on the face.

Subra started the ball rolling by terming Palanivel as a deputy in the shadows to which Palanivel countered with the left-right jabs.

He questioned Subra's two decade tenure as deputy president as can be seen here.

Backing president's men a hindrance to flourishing democracy

The Malaysian Indian Congress has a democratic system where delegates can choose whomever they want to be their leader.

There are no minimum nominations needed as seen in Umno or position sharing amongst those who have won the largest number of votes

Unfortunately there seems to be the culture of backing all the president's men. As a result of which was the defeat of M Muthupalaniappan in his quest to wrest the party top post from incumbent, S Samy Vellu.

Now that all attention is turned on guessing who would his anointed deputy would be.

Despite announcing that he would not be throwing his support candidate, Samy Vellu has lashed out at former deputy president, S Subramaniam and vice president S Sothinathan - both contenders for deputy presidency - in recent times.

Is Samy backing his current deputy Palanivel? Current developments affirms that pattern. Hence the choice is now upto the delegates to continue their culture of backing the president's men or practise democracy and initiate the winds of change in the MIC.

What's wrong, Mr PM

One minute, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak says that BN is fine if Hadi Awang's proposal for unity government does not materialise as seen here.

Now he turned the plot and says it is religious duty to have unity government.

Odd, isn't it?

What's wrong, Mr PM? Disappointed that BN can't take over other Pakatan Rakyat administered states?

No to unity government

I am glad that the Pakatan Rakyat has jointly turned down the Umno-PAS idea for a unity government as seen here.

I mean why is there calls for Malay unity whenever Umno seem or perceives to itself to be weak in the arena of Malaysian politics.

Had the unity government become a reality Pas may have been the biggest losers in the next general election since non -Malay support did jolt them into making political inroads.

On beards and protests

In the past, Sultan Idris of Perak spotted a beard as a sign of protest due to his unhappiness with his then Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Ghazali Jawi.




On a similar note, former Perak DAP secretary the late P Patto vowed not to shave until the DAP supremo, Lim Kit Siang was released from ISA detention after getting detained during the Ops Lalang.

On that note I am thinking of spotting a beard as a sign of protest for the return of political civility in Perak