May 15, 2012
Tun Dr. Ling: Two-Party System can work in Malaysia
by Kong See Hoh
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
FORMER MCA President Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik says the two-party system can work in Malaysia, but it depends on the quality of the Opposition.
Despite not having led MCA’s charge in the 2008 polls, Ling in an interview with Sin Chew Daily published today, said the system has been proven viable in other democracies, and as such there is no reason why it cannot be practised in Malaysia.
Ling said: “But it (the implementation of a two-party system) will have to depend on the quality of the opposition. If they (the opposition) are terrible (lousy), a two-party system cannot be effectively implemented. If they are very good … such as in Penang, (it can be done).
“In fact the DAP has done rather well, if not for the squabble between party leaders Karpal Singh and Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P Ramasamy.”
Asked for his take on Barisan Nasional’s (BN) political fortunes in the next general election, Ling, who has kept a low profile after stepping down as party chief nine years ago, did not mince his words when he said BN will not be able to recapture Selangor.
He said apart from PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Pakatan Rakyat leaders such as Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng have built themselves a good image for staying clear of corruption and not having abused their power.
“Generally speaking, the Chinese are not good towards BN, but they have no choice in Perak. BN may receive less support in Johor but not to the point of losing the state.The next general election will be very tough for Barisan, (but) I believe it still can win, because the government has been spending money non-stop under different names, which has not happened before.”
Punters have been speculating on the date of the next polls, with the latest being in September, but to Ling, “the debate on the best time to call for election is one for which there is no answer.”
“What you believe is the opportune time may turn out to be otherwise. Therefore, the chances of the 13th general election being held in June are not high.To put it more correctly, Barisan is not very sure whether it can win in the next election. Some say it (the election) will be held in June, I don’t know whether it (BN) dares to go ahead, (as) there are still a lot of crises (issues) which are yet to be resolved”.
Din Merican: the Malaysian DJ Blogger 
A good two party depends on quality candidates to be elected to form both the Government and the Opposition. When we have high quality people in Parliament and the State Assemblies the standard of discourse and deliberation on policies and bills will improve tremendously. Right now, if you watch live telecast debates, you cannot help but liken Parliament to just another fish market with Bung Mokthar and his cohort from UMNO-BN shouting at Dato’ Mahfudz Omar and Dr. Zulkefly Ahmad and others from the Opposition. –Din Merican
Lepas burger sekarang buntut..hahahaaha…manusia yang bertamaddun tidak akan melakukan perkara seburuk ini …
Tok Cik,
Apa pendapat saudara mengenai rakan rakan saudara ni..
Tean Rean, soalan kamu itu bodoh dan tidak relevan disini. Tak guna komen perangai yang biadap terhadap Ketua Bersih Dato Ambiga yang di tunjuk oleh bekas askar Malaysia. Inilah anggota yang digunakan oleh UMNO untuk membuat keadaan politik semakin terok.
Ahmadi ? Awak kata soalan saya bodoh atau orang yang melakukan perkara ini tak pakai otak. Kalau orang yang tanya tak dapat membezakan soalan ini dia lah yang rasanya tak pandai.
Its a shame that they know not better. They are merely going on emotions and fear. They are afraid and react based on those fears. How much thinking do you actually think these guys have done? None. They think Ambiga has shamed the country. Full stop. So they are out to shame her. Very basic thinking here if at all. Emotional is more like it. This is a battle of emotions. it has been for 50 years. A battle of emotional fear nothing else. Fear of losing their share to those who ,if they come into power, may not share anything with them and will take everything. Thats the fear. Primal. They are the victims in all this emotional game that those in politicis create. These people are the real victims here. Do you think they would have shamed themselves like this if they had no fear? God, how damaged is this nation?
From burger to buntut….another attempt at intimidation . All the screams Hidup Polis, hidup B N, do we see desperation here ? The police in Malaysia and BN dying or what ??? Hope the buntut exercise did not result in too much FARTING…which might pollute all the BN ministers houses in Damansara Heights, already polluted by the dung from the NFC,scandal,with Sharizat living in the same neighborhood !!
Wow… this corruption king who made his sons billionaires over night is talking rubbish again. Does he means it is workable in Penang because BN has plays its opposition role well? And why is there a need to guess when is the election date? Isn’t it suppose to be fixed like what US and Taiwan practice. ?
Takde bezanya army beteran dengan budak-budak Melayu yang riot atas provocation Anwar di demo Bersih. Army veteran ini ada kes sebab Ambiga merosakan periuk nasi orang dan keamanan negara kerana Bersih.
Makcik – May 15, 2012 at 4:05 pm
I rest my case.
Kathy, not rest your case but tell Makcik to rest in peace.
The current wave of youthful exuberance is a clear manifestation of the upper limits of 22 years of suppression under TDM. Yes, the new found freedom or the lack of it is the cause of the current friction.
All the comments from the older generation (mine) clearly reflect the thinking of our days. We are scared of May 13, we cannot tolerate street protest, its not our culture and Asian culture respect for leaders. But sadly we are past generation, ministers, leaders, IGPs and some untouchables. We have not changed whereas time has. We cling on to the old values. We say we need to reinvent, but did we? did UMNO, did MCA, did MIC?
As the saying goes ‘change or be changed!’
Look around us, Thailand, Phillipines, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East.. It is very easy for us to say that we cannot import western influence and implant it here. Hey we are still burying our heads in the sand. It will not happen to us, it will not happen here!
The present generation in all these countries cannot tolerate the kind of oppression, government abuse, corruption and lack of dignity politicians. You can suppress their feeling through high handed policing. But when it comes to the ballot box…. BEWARE. All the changes in these countries are through peaceful ballot box decision.
We read these too often, opposition false promises, don’t trust them, sex scandals. We try every single technique that we know to paint a bad picture of the opposition. But alas these are ‘the old techniques we know’ The youth don’t buy this. They don’t call these people Opposition. The youth is seeing it as their alternative government. To them if the present government cannot reform, which I doubt, then they the youth will seek alternatives.
What I am trying to say in summary is that Bersih 3 is sending a strong message. The message is change. To fight it, you don’t have a chance. To use brute force, like what they did is fatal. And thats what has happened, a public relations disaster.
Our PM should ride this current wave, take cognizant of the mood and then you take the wind from under their wings
PR when form the government should revoke these morons retirement benefit then they can earn their living performing exercises outside people’s home. Anyone want their service?
So MACC, here is your proof of money politic. Worst still using the People’s hard earned money for selfish gains which rise the question on abusing of power. Ling, “I believe it still can win, because the government has been spending money non-stop under different names, which has not happened before.”
Dear Lawyers, can this admitted as evident?
For once, Sunny is talking some sense without the $$$. Who’s Sunny?
It would seem that he has crossed his Rubicon. Welcome home, Church and Penitence awaits.
Hello tean. Hang dok cakap sop buntut di sini buat apa?? Nanti Bendover Singh cari hang.
We must thank citizen tean-raen for this video. If not for this video Malaysians overseas may never know of this disgusting behavior by a group of Malays who claimed they were witnesses to the purported assault on the police Saturday 28, 2012 and who chose to exercise their freedom of speech coincidentally in a residential area which happens to be the neighborhood and right smack in front of the house of one of those who helped to organize and led the freedom march. The fact that it was the residence of Ambiga (honored in person by Hilary Clinton the present Secretary of State, not too long ago for her work) and those who demonstrated were all from one race is disturbing and a deliberate attempt by UMNO’s right wing elements to stoke the flames of racism. Let’s see if UMNO will distance itself from the frolics of this guy.
More of the identity of the spokesperson should be exposed to the media. Everything about him should be made known so Malaysians could decide who he is working for, who is pulling the strings. If he is an ex-police officer his work records should be made public. That is a clear cut case of intimidation and is documented. Take the guy to court.
Over here it is illegal to picket or hold a protest in a residential neighborhood. Police would be called and it would be stopped and the one leading the protest would be properly charged with breaches of the law. But then this is Malaysia.
Hi Tean,
There are many categories of veterans. The ones you see in front of Ambiga’s house are foot soldiers of Umno, fair and simple. I don’t wish to be drawn into their kind of game.
Ambiga did well to speak out. But I think she’s too polite though firm.
I don’t wish to be drawn into their kind of game.
Tok Cik – May 15, 2012 at 8:49 pm
It is too late for that, Brig.Gen. Tok Cik. First he claimed to be from the military having spent years in the jungle fighting for the country’s freedom though he doesn’t look old enough. Then towards the end he mentioned the police. He cannot decide if he is an ex-police officer or an ex-soldier. He is probably from neither. Just a local thug.
Yeah, Bean that’s what separate the wheat from the chaffs. They are nothing but paid thugs claiming to be veterans. Umno is into this game and has perfected it into an art. NGOs, Mongolians, Indons and what have you will appear and disappear at a snap of Jibby’s fingers. What’s so difficult about getting a bunch of hooligans to camp outside of Ambiga’s house if the price right? They gave ex-soldiers a bad name. How unfortunate.
“More of the identity of the spokesperson should be exposed to the media. Everything about him should be made known so Malaysians could decide who he is working for, who is pulling the strings” -Mr Bean
Some information on the spokesperson is found in the comments in The Malaysian Insider article “Mooning, Malaysia’s ultimate defence” by Jaleel Hameed on May15th.
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2011&dt=0113&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_01.htm
This ‘confession’ was made to Utusan. He admitted that he had spent around RM 1million and yet he’s walking around freely and is still the PVTM. Go figure.
Bert