Soon Li Tsin
Malaysiakini

exclusive

Three days before polling day, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad told voters that the country needs an opposition that can hold up a mirror to the government.

“I believe in an opposition. I have always maintained that this country needs an opposition and they should be critical of the government without which we don’t have a mirror to look at our faces. We think that we are very beautiful but it is the opposition that keeps telling us (that may not be true).

“You know the government member (of parliament), sometimes they are ‘ahli bodek’ (apple polishers). They are always saying ‘you’re right’, and you have no means of assessing whether you are going in the right direction or not.”

He told Malaysiakini in an exclusive interview today that it would be a “disaster” if the country “loses its opposition” as in Singapore.

Looking a little frail in his trademark bush jacket since his second heart bypass in September last year, Mahathir gave his prognosis on this Saturday’s general elections.

He said the government would be able to retain its two-thirds majority but could lost a few seats in Terengganu and Kedah.

Mahathir also predicted that the government would win between 70 to 75 percent of Parliament seats on March 8.

In the 2004 general elections, BN won 90 percent of the seats. If Mahathir is correct, then the opposition could win between 55 to 65 seats, which will be a sizable increase from its current tally of 21.

Mahathir also did not think the Barisan Nasional coalition would be able to wrest Kelantan state government from Islamic party PAS.

“Kelantan would be a very difficult because although the margin is very small, Kelantanese have got a mind of their own, so to speak. If they are living in KL, they are very supportive of the government but if they are living in Kelantan, the peer pressure is very strong.”

Mahathir also believed that the opposition would do well in Penang, but not enough to win government, or deny BN its two-thirds majority.

Two clarifications

Mahathir also took the opportunity at the interview held at his Perdana Leadership Foundation office in Putrajaya to clarify that there was no prior agreement in which his handpicked successor would serve only one term as prime minister.

“I want to say this, there was no gentleman’s agreement on this but my thinking was that he (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) should serve for one term and give Najib (Razak) who by then would be much older to succeed him,” he said.

The former BN leader who spearheaded BN’s victory in five consecutive elections also ticked off the opposition for seeking to capitalise on something which he had said in jest.

In recent weeks, the opposition has been showing a video-clip at their ceramah where Mahathir was depicted to have conceded in a comical tone that he had brutally mistreated his then deputy, Anwar Ibrahim.

“I mean any stupid fool would have seen that it was a sarcastic remark made by me but they (opposition) make use of such things and this convince voters that they are not really knowledgeable about things or they are not very sophisticated in the use of the media,” he said.

Abdullah ‘lied’

Mahathir was also asked to explain why he had publicly accused Abdullah of lying.

“When I left, I made sure that the party, the government and the finances are in good shape. So when I am told that (my) projects have been postponed because of no money, it’s definitely not true.

“If I was still the prime minister, I could go on not only with the projects that has already in the pipeline but also with new projects because we had money,” he asserted.

When Abdullah came into power in 2003, he stopped a number of mega-projects that was inked under Mahathir’s tenure including the ‘crooked’ bridge to Singapore and the Bakun dam project.

Although Mahathir expressed regret for appointing Abdullah as his successor, he refused to comment on the former’s performance.

“It is up to the people to judge. You see, I would be bias. (It) is normal if he wants to leave his mark but the unfortunate thing is that the mark cause some losses for us. That is why I was so critical,” he said.

Mahathir slams Khairy

The Perdana Leadership Foundation chairperson, when quizzed about the possibility of Abdullah’s son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin being appointed minister after the elections, did not mince his words in criticising the ambitious deputy Umno Youth chief.

He said Khairy should not seek protection from his father-in-law.

“He (Khairy) has said that ‘I can do these things because I get protection from my father-in-law’. Nobody should ever say that. Do the right thing - you don’t ask for protection from your father-in-law,” he asserted.

Asked for his message to voters on Saturday, he urged them to vote wisely.

“Vote sensitively. Vote not only with party loyalty concerns but also vote in order to have good people setting up a good government.”

Choo Ching Yee
Malaysiakini

Candidates Lee Hwa Beng (MCA), Loh Gwo-Burne (PKR) and Billi Lim Peng Soon (Independent) are eying the Kelana Jaya parliamentary seat.

They will have to win over 79,649 voters, of whom the majority are Malays (41.9 percent), followed by Chinese (38.7 percent), Indians (17.9 percent) and others (1.5 percent).

Lee (centre in photo), the former Subang Jaya assembly representative, has been active in politics for 12 years.

Loh (left in photo), 34, has been involved in business and is making his debut in elections. His only claim to fame comes from his testimony as the maker of the video of the infamous Lingam tape.

Lim (right in photo), 57, is fondly known as the ‘Failure Guru’, the dare-to-fail motivational speaker who shows people how to pick themselves up. He previously contested in the Bukit Bintang parliamentary seat in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysiakini poses 12 questions on national issues to them, continuing a series that canvasses the views of election candidates.

1. Would you support the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission?

Lee: Of course this is (a) government-appointed commission, (otherwise) what’s the purpose of having the commission? I’m very surprised (that) the government is not implementing it. They (have) spent so much time on (it). These are views of the people.

Loh: I think there are many problem in the police force today. (It would be) very useful to have something like that [...] only if the complaints bureau has the power to act. (Otherwise we) might as well not have it. (We’d be) wasting time and money.

Lim: Yes. 100%

2. Would you support local council elections?

Lee: I’ve made a public statement (on this).
(In a report in The Sun on July 22, 2005, he had welcomed this but said there is little anyone can do about implementation, since it is a government policy.)

Loh: Well, I believe that the local council should be represented by locals instead of just bringing (over someone) appointed. If local people are given the opportunity [...], grievances will be solved more efficiently. They would have their ear to the ground.

Lim: I’ve been calling for this for some time. We should support the election of local councillors, as election would produce better leaders.

3. Would you support Petronas’ accounts being made public?

Lee: Yes, because Petronas is (a) company (created) by an Act of Parliament to collect royalties on behalf of (the) government. (Its accounts) should be made public.

Loh: Yes. Definitely. Oil reserves belong to (the) people, not to any institution or group of people.

Lim: Yes. (They’re) accountable to (the) public. Crude oil prices are increasing yet (they) still need to reduce subsidies. I think we should (know) exactly what has happened in this case.

4. Would you support the retention of subsidies for fuel and other essential items?

Lee: I will support (it for) oil. (This is) because we are net exporters of (crude) oil. We should use the revenue to subsidise (the retail price).

Loh: Well, it’s essential to have subsidies for certain crucial products. It’s useful to control inflation (which) may (otherwise) go out of control. Everybody knows we have oil reserves [...] (as for) other essentials like sugar, ensure (that the) price (is) at a reasonable level.

Lim: It depends. Doing this for the sake of doing it (will mean that) everybody becomes subsidy-minded. The way it’s given must be standardised. Subsidy must be used correctly.

5. Would you support autonomy for universities and the abolition of the University and University Colleges Act (UUCA) 1971?

Lee: We have to look into amending it. There are good reasons for UUCA. Students should study as (their) first priority (but) allow (them some) leeway. Amend (the law) but don’t abolish it.

Loh: Basically, I think awareness (in) politics should be created at a young age. I would agree.

Lim: I remember (that) I was studying when this Act (was passed). (Students) are at (the) university level; they know how to think. This Act should be abolished.

6. Would you support Malaysia becoming an Islamic state?

Lee: We accept (that) Islam is Malaysia’s official religion. (However), MCA does not accept a theological Islamic state.

Loh: Basically, (it’s) not practical at this point. We are a nation with three main races. As long as (the) constitution remains the same, as long as there are other races in Malaysia, we should respect everybody. I seriously doubt that the legal system would be able to function properly if (an) Islamic state is established. All previous laws (are) based on common law.

Lim: No. You see this country (is) multi-ethnic (and) multi-religious. Our country has never been Islamic in the first place. I believe in people having (the) right to practise their religion. Religion is something personal; this shouldn’t be (caught up) in politics.

7. Would you support the creation of an Interfaith Council or a Non-Muslim Affairs Department?

Lee: Definitely. Very good. All the major religions are found here. I support the Interfaith Council.

Loh: There are a lot of difficulties. Who’s to solve (the) problem? An Interfaith Council would be (a) good way to start. For example, there have been cases of body snatching (in conversion cases). Problems crop up during the funeral. Where do we go to solve issues? If (we) go to the Syariah court, (the ruling) would be biased.

Lim: (It is) better to have an Interfaith Council. I think (it’s) very important. Dialogue is the least they can (undertake).

8. Would you support the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) being placed under Parliament?

Lee: (This) have to (be) studied further. It may become too bureaucratic to move fast. (When) politicians get involved, everything (has) to go through (them). (It) will be too slow.

Loh: Well, theoretically ACA should be made more accountable. I think the ACA should be held accountable for so-called investigations. If it is under Parliament, I’m not so sure (that can be achieved as) the majority will always rule. I’m not so certain that will have any positive effect. So, I think the ACA might need wider powers. I believe (we) should somehow make ACA truly independent.

Lim: Yes. (ACA) should be neutral. (Otherwise), everybody will accuse it of being corrupted.

9. Would you support the abolition of the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA)?

Lee: I think a lot of countries (are (have enforced similar laws) after the rise of terrorism, (including the) UK and US. I think all of us support the ISA to combat terrorism and also inter-racial disharmony. But we must have clauses to prevent abuse (of the law).

Loh: I would support abolition. (It’s) being abused by (the) administration.

Lim: My relative was detained under the ISA. Many (of my) friends during the student uprising were (also) put under the ISA. That was going too far. I’ll support its abolition.

10. Would you support public assemblies being held without the need for a police permit?

Lee: No. Because sometimes racial politics prevail. DAP claims (to be) multi-racial but they still depend on Chinese votes. During election campaigns, everyone has to apply for police permits.

Loh: I need to see both sides of the argument on this. Given that our administration has a serious habit of totally ignoring the (people’s) grievances, I would support (this).

Lim: No doubt (we) want things to be done in a secure way. (When) we (plan to hold a) ceramah, (we) waste a lot of time getting a police permit. It’s something like saying ‘The cat is given authority to take care of the mouse’. People care for the (the) safety of (the) people. A solution has to be found to have a peaceful assembly. Lately, the police have been quite cooperative.

11. Would you support a minimum wage for workers?

Lee: The human resources ministry has appointed me as chairperson of the national minimum wage council for private security guards. I have completed (the) report. I’m in favour of raising the minimum salary. It shouldn’t be rigid (as) it makes business impossible.

Loh: Well, the problem in fixing minimum wage would be implications for inflation. If you lift the ceiling, it would have some implications. But if you fix wages while maintaining subsidies for essentials, you can control inflation. How far would you want to want to raise the minimum wage? Many people believe we should have a certain minimum wage. The question is at what level it should be.

Lim: I think, on this matter, we have to support a minimum wage (and) see how (it) is implemented.

12. Would you support the abolition of the New Economic Policy (NEP)?

Lee: I think even Umno has admitted (there) should be (a) timeframe for NEP. There (must come a) a time (when) it has to be stopped.

Loh: I actually think the NEP [...] not such a bad thing. Clearly certain groups of people are impoverished. The question (is) should (the NEP) be racial in nature? I disagree. It should be extended to poor people of all races. The NEP now serve the powerful more than (the) poor people. (We) seriously need to revamp it so help goes to the needy and not the wealthy.

Lim: It’s one thing to help the so-called less competitive community. It’s another thing to have a blanket policy. It seriously needs revision. It has created discontent. This does not augur well for the unity that we talk about. (Being given) everything will not make people strong (enough to survive on their own.) Certain people need (help). (The NEP) should be for all communities.

Blog post by Teresa Kok, DAP candidate for Seputeh, on 2 March 2008

Today, after my press conference at Taman Wawasan, Puchong, I received a call from my assistant Emily that there was a billboard erected in front of my Seputeh office and I was the lead cast.

The billboard shows me (a sexy woman in red) hugging Mr Kinrara after dumping my old lover Mr Seputeh. with a message “Once and for all, we will never abandon you, please vote BN.”

My members and I had a press conference and protested in front of the billboard.

Another billboard at 5th mile, Old Klang Road. It shows me leaving Mr Kinrara rocketing towards Mr. Seputeh.

I feel utterly disgusted with this defamation. It insinuates that I am a “loose” woman, where I would abandon my “old lover” (Mr Seputeh) and fall into the arms of another man (Mr Kinrara).

When I was told by reporters that Carol Chew was the one who launched the cartoon billboard yesterday, I was extremely shocked. I thought, What???!! Does she know what she is she doing?

MCA Wanita always claimed they uphold women’s rights and dignity. As Carol Chew was Ng Yen Yen’s PA for so many years, hasn’t she learnt anything about defending the rights and dignity of women? Or is she prepared to throw that all away to play dirty politics by indugling in such disgusting tactics of defamatory attack?

I have been refraining from criticising Carol Chew from day one because I believe in a ”gentlewoman’s” fight. But, after seeing these disgusting cartoons, I think it is time I put my foot down and say that all gloves are off.

—

Apparently, according to a Malay Mail report, Chew has been ordered to remove the billboards. What’s her response?

Mail Mail report on 4 March 2008

DEFIANT!

DESPITE a directive from City Hall to remove all 12 billboards featuring ‘suggestive’ caricatures of Seputeh incumbent Teresa Kok by midnight yesterday, Barisan Nasional hopeful Carol Chew showed her defiance by sticking to her guns.

Chew, when contacted at 7pm yesterday, said she would not bring down the billboards but, in stead, would replace them with different caricatures.

“Things are going according to plan. We have a series of caricatures and will put up a new one every day,” she said.

She declined to say if the other caricatures will continue to fea ture her opponent in a similar manner.

“It’s not my intention to discriminate. Our message on the billboard was distorted by DAP to evoke a certain reaction among voters.

Chew, who said she would leave it to voters when asked if this would affect her image, said: “As a woman, I won’t insult another woman.

“We are merely questioning the priorities of our opponent here. We hope that she’s not taking the support of Seputeh voters for granted.

“If the opposition can claim that MCA is corrupt, why can’t we question the loyalty of our opponent?”

When asked if she thinks that this will affect Seputeh residents’ impression of her, she said she would leave it to the voters to decide.

Checks by The Malay Mail after midnight yesterday showed that six billboards still had caricatures depicting Kok as a woman finding new love in ‘Mr Kinrara’ and is torn between her new love and former flame, ‘Mr Seputeh’.

On Sunday, Kok lodged a com plaint with the Election Commission regarding the billboards.

The Malay Mail had yesterday carried a report quoting Kok as saying that the caricatures depicted her as a “loose woman”.

The DAP incumbent had said that the remarks on the caricatures were sexist and below the belt.

Following our report, an EC officer had issued an ultimatum, through City Hall, to Chew to dis mantle the billboards before mid night yesterday.

A Kuala Lumpur City Hall elections operations room spokesman said the decision was made as the billboards had contravened the Election Act 1954 under Section 4A (1) for promoting ill-will or hostility.

It was also learnt that Chew did not have City Hall’s permission to put up the billboards.

“We informed Barisan Nasional’s Seputeh election agent that the billboards must come down by midnight tonight (yesterday).

“If that does not happen, DBKL will not hesitate to pull it down and a stern warning will be is sued,” he said last night.

It was reported that there are 12 such billboards in Seputeh, scattered around areas like Taman Gembira, OUG, Jalan Kuchai Lama, Taman Desa and Jalan Kelang Lama.

At her Press conference yesterday, Kok expressed her disap pointment over Chew’s act.

“I just want a fair fight and I didn’t expect her to do this.

“There are other male candid ates who are contesting both seats.

“Why did Chew pick on a female candidate like me?”

MCA Federal Territory chairman Datuk Tan Chai Ho, however, was adamant that Chew had done nothing wrong.

“It is up to the EC to make the decision.

“As far as I am concerned, there is no right or wrong here,” he said.
He declined to say if this could affect Chew’s performance.

Tan, who is running for the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat, said MCA candidates need not get his permission on how to run their election campaigns in their constituencies.

“It is all in Chew’s hands as she is the one contesting in the con stituency.

“I am in no position to comment as it does not involve my constituency.

“There are bodies to oversee such matters, like the EC monitoring
committee that has guidelines for election campaigns. Candidates should abide by the guidelines,” he said.