Remembering the Asian Statesman: Lee Kuan Yew

October 10, 2015

A little bit of history will not harm anyone. That sounds trite. I feel that history is about repeat itself, particularly in Malaysia. It would appear that we seem to forget its lessons. Why? Simply it is because our leadership and public officials and pundits are not grounded in reality.

Our Prime Minister, Najib Razak, is unable to deal with our national problems, preferring to delude himself with his spins and lies, and recklessly clinging to power with the support of his fawning public officials, and doing all he can to prolong his hold on power and postponing the inevitable.

Today, Najib Tun Razak, is the most unpopular (and hen pecked too) Prime Minister in our country’s history and has to resort to draconian laws and repressive measures to silence his critics in civil society. I wonder how long he can continue to stay in his job when our economy is slowing down and when will UMNO Malays  wake up to realise that their President can longer lead our country.–Din Merican

Should Najib resign?

July 11, 2015

by Hafidz Baharom

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Personally, yes. He has tarnished the office of Prime minister with his continued failure in doing the one thing he had to do: lead. And quite frankly, I would rather he do so before succumbing to his “media triggered” depression, letting this country fall further into economic ruin and then promoting a “Twinkie defence”. Or, before he calls for martial law.

So respectfully, it is time to clock out, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. And I’ll tell you why? In fact, I’ll write it out. The recent exposé by The Wall Street Journal has eroded whatever little confidence I have in the Prime Minister’s government, but I doubt his die-hard fans are quite in that position yet.

These are probably the same people who think the Titanic was an unsinkable ship that did not sink. Or to use Monty Python, still believe the parrot isn’t dead and is just “pining for the fjords”. Malaysians are a sarcastic and humorous people who have recently been able to channel this – directly or indirectly – through social media.

And with the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) public relations quagmire and the currently happening probe into how the Prime Minister had millions (or billions) placed into his personal accounts, the authorities have taken measures to try and keep this “parrot” alive through any means necessary.

Let us look at what is being suggested by these – for a lack of a better word – morons. First we have the conspiracy theorists, which include the Prime Minister himself. Initially, he had accused former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad of conspiring against him with the foreign press. When this was too ridiculous for the press to buy, or even the general public, he moved on to saying that the Dow Jones was conspiring to topple his government.

While there is a task force which is investigating these allegations, our Attorney-General found it necessary to task the police to look for who leaked the documents, even without first confirming that these documents were real or faked.

You read right. Insofar as the scandal has surfaced, the documents have been branded as “tampered documents” without any proof or revelation of the authentic ones from the parties involved. Why? Is it because the documents are classified under the Official Secrets Act, perhaps? And yet, a task force was established to investigate these allegations by an American newspaper based on these documents, and the Prime Minister is mulling action against the paper.

Personally, I would like to see this in court simply to see our Prime Minister take the stand and have the government prove that the documents released were  not real, untampered and untrue. It would allow the Sarawak Report, The Edge and The Malaysian Insider to then sue the Malaysian government for defamation and be vindicated.

Also, since the Journal is not published in Malaysia, it is outside the jurisdiction of the Royal Malaysian Police. In fact, can the Police actually take action against the Journal in any way or form since it is published and read online?

I sincerely doubt it. I’m guessing it is the same reason both Raja Petra Kamaruddin’s Malaysia Today and Clare Rewcastle Brown’s Sarawak Report are based beyond our borders. Perhaps our internet regulator will consider adding both websites in their Green Wall list – a list of websites inaccessible to the Malaysian public.

Speaking of which, we had a regulator weigh in saying that spreading false news on 1MDB was punishable by law. The Malaysian Commission for Multimedia and Communication (MCMC) found it necessary to even post this on Facebook.

Pro-government supporters are even considering the shutdown of the social network for nothing more than allowing Malaysians their right in expressing their views in the most hilarious and sarcastic ways possible – something that was guaranteed when we were granted Multimedia Supper-corridor (MSC) status.

Even going so far as to say it would make Malaysians more “productive”. Perhaps they would be so kind to practice what they preach and do so themselves, to set examples for the rest of us.

Of course, the typical UMNO leaders have also weighed in by saying that this is a foreign, Jewish conspiracy, but that is so overplayed by this government and its supporters that it rings on deaf ears. And then we have a leader of a bank who insisted on voicing his dissatisfaction and questioning the authenticity of the documents on social media, being shared by pro-government factions and being proven wrong. Sadly, his recant was not shared with the same enthusiasm as his calling the Journal stupid.

And he’s now being investigated by his employers, a move that I also do not support. We must not stifle anyone’s ability to express their thoughts on social media, and we should know where to draw the line between our individual and our jobs in the realm of social networks. For many reasons, this has been blurred drastically in the last decade when employers, the authorities and even insurance companies decided it a valid source of information.Even journalism has taken entries on Facebook as a source of news, as experienced by a fellow The Malaysian Insider columnist.

But all this makes it necessary for us to question a few things. Primarily, our government has embarrassed itself through its inability to follow up on former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s promise for reform towards transparency, especially in the case of 1MDB.

Instead of allowing Malaysians and its stakeholders to openly view the wheeling and dealings of this company under the Ministry of Finance, the company chose to shun the press to the point of refusing to even allow reporters covering them from viewing their pitch at property events.

Even the Pime Minister himself destroyed his credibility in the court of public opinion. From being too fast on the draw during Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s guilty verdict, his “golf diplomacy” trip to Hawaii during the worst flood since 1971, the insistence on flying to the Middle East during earthquakes in Sabah, yet the quick draw ability to comment on “gay parades” and 24-hour eateries callously shows his failure in setting priorities for a country.

Adding on to this was his no-show from the ironically named “Nothing2Hide” closed door forum, his insistence on continued sniping instead of a face to face session with Mahathir, the MARA scandal and even the continued hiring of people to help his faltering public image.

All I can say is, this government was led by an ineffecive leader and an even worse a Cabinet that has led to the exhaustion of their political capital built up in the past 60 years, all spent up in the last decade. But don’t take my word for it. Let us wait for Merdeka Center to conduct their poll. Better yet, take a look at the Edelman Trust Barometer. In 2012, the Malaysian government scored 52%. In 2015, that number went down to 45%.

Erosion of trust, inability to defend the nation, an ineffective cabinet of dunces, a public persona of ridicule and allegations of underhanded dealings and nepotism, and more importantly, bankrupting the ruling party’s political capital, all of which have been highlighted by both government and alternative media.

MACC’s Tunku Aziz responds to his critics and detractors

June 1, 2015

One may disagree with Tunku Aziz about MACC. I too have been very critical of this  anti-Corruption watchdog (should I say lapdog of the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak?) and my views about its Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim and the Commission itself can be read in this blog. Just click corruption or MACC and you can read them or go the blog’s archives.

I have always said that MACC is a dysfunctional, sick and toxic organization. I once received a letter from MACC almost threatening me with legal action for remarks I made by this sweet talking Tan Sri Abu Kassim. By reading about  the late Teoh Beng Hock and Ahmad Sarbani and the current  legal battle between the MACC chief and Lawyer Rosli Dahlan, you will understand why MACC abuses power.

The MACC favours politicians in power but it is quick to investigate opposition parliamentarians, civil society leaders and others. It makes a mockery of the report of the Tech Beng Hock Royal Commission of Inquiry and the one concerning the infamous Correct, Correct VK Lingam video tape issue. MACC does not understand  accountability and transparency.

All that said, I am happy to put Tunku Aziz’s statement of May 29, 2015 on this blog. He has the right to express his opinion and defend his organization. Read it carefully and then comment on it.This blog is about freedom of expression with responsibility.

I know Tunku Aziz well and our friendship spans over several decades and we are still very good friends although we have different views on politics, economics, intermational affairs and social policy. I agree with him about governance and ethics. I also share his take on Tun Dr. Mahathir. But I disagree with him on Najib Razak, his policies and actions.

Tunku Aziz thinks that the Prime Minister is doing a good job.  But I do not.  On the contrary, in my opinion our Prime Minister is a weak and corrupt leader and has turned out to be an unmitigated national disaster and must therefore resign. I am also of the view that Najib should be investigated and charged for corruption and abuse of power. MACC is will not dare do it, of course since it reports to the Prime Minister. Dr. Mahathir too should be made to account for his 22+ years of misrule. –Din Merican

Tunku Aziz’s Media Statement

MEDIA STATEMENT as issued by Tunku Abdul Aziz in conjunction with a press conference held on Friday May 29, 2015 at 11.00 a.m. at the Eastin Hotel, Petaling Jaya.

Let me say at the outset that it gives me absolutely no joy in having to say to Tun Mahathir Mohamad that by spewing scurrilous lies about 1MDB without any conclusive proof of wrongdoing by the Prime Minister or anyone else for that matter, he has reduced himself, in the eyes of many, to a figure of fun and ridicule.

His recent performance in Ipoh was admittedly most amusing and kept the audience in stitches, especially when he threw caution and good manners to the winds by repeating vicious rumours about Najib and his family. It was all too personal. Tun Mahathir Mohamad has to make up his mind whether he relishes the idea of being treated as a stand-up comedian or a responsible, respected and revered leader of men. On current performance he presents himself as an embittered, vindictive man who apparently is prepared to gamble with his reputation in pursuit of an unworthy cause bordering on obsession. His motive is suspect.

Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is a bundle of inconsistencies and contradictions. He froths at the mouth every time he accuses 1MDB of causing a staggering RM 42 billion to disappear without a trace. This, as it turns out, is pure fiction, of course. As matters stand today, the figure of RM42 billion that he has used with regular monotony to get at the Prime Minister is shown very clearly as a debt in the company’s books. Company borrowings are a normal part of operating a business as Tun knows only too well. For the sake of good order and in the larger interests of justice and fair play, Tun should eat humble pie, take a deep breath, admit his mistake and apologise to the Prime Minister and the top management of 1MDB whom he has maligned. And while he is about it, will Tun please also apologise to all Malaysians for misleading them?

When he was Prime Minister several massive scandals broke out. He cunningly side-stepped the issue of accountability. He explained with that familiar self-satisfied smirk on his face that in the case of the loans given by Bank Bumiputra Finance (BMF) to the Carrian Group and two other Hong Kong companies, when someone who was ‘established’ in the business world asked for a loan, one should not scrutinise his application too closely. Tun perhaps needs someone to jog his memory a little. During his premiership, but for the grace of God and Petronas this country would have been left high and dry as a result of frenzied institutionalised gambling in several financially disastrous scams involving the Ministry of Finance, Bank Negara Malaysia, and the Employees Provident Fund among other agencies.

One of the biggest scandals in world banking history was the BMF affair that cost the country US$800 million. Other loans amounting to US$163 million were made to companies in Hong Kong. These were doubtful loans from the start and had to be written off. We are talking about the early eighties: and the losses if expressed in today’s value would be many times the amounts incurred some 30 years ago.

Then there was the ‘Tin Caper’ in which Malaysia played the star role of the ‘Mystery Buyer’ to make a killing by the apparently simple expedient of cornering the international tin market. That cost the country RM660.5 million in losses according to Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yeik, one time minister of primary industries .As if this was not enough, we followed this up with the most notorious financial scandal of all – the foray into the FOREX market using the nation’s reserves to gamble, leaving Bank Negara Malaysia dangerously exposed. Bank Negara Malaysia lost RM30 billion (RM58 billion at today’s value) in this gambling spree. Typically Mahathir denied responsibility and to this day he remains unrepentant, blasé, and unapologetic for the scandals that happened when he was the head of government. His manic gambling with Bank Bumi and BNM money scandalised monetary authorities around the world. Tun Mahathir lost heavily in the tin escapade which saw the collapse of the International Tin Council and the disappearance of the tin industry worldwide.

He effectively turned the once respected Bank Negara Malaysia, the Central Bank of Malaysia, into a rogue institution. In the event, RM30 billion, (RM58 billion in today’s terms) was lost. It took BNM at least 10 years to amortise, and close the books finally in 2003 on this, the most shameful betrayal of trust in our history. BNM was close to being brought to its knees given its colossal exposure and rapidly depleting national reserves. Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli in his affidavit claimed that he was ordered to buy MAS at a vastly inflated price so that the government could cover the Forex gambling losses.

As these losses have never been satisfactorily explained, I urge the government to reopen the Forex case to establish whether any laws had been broken by the Mahathir administration in using the reserves held by Bank Negara Malaysia for the purpose of currency speculation. Those responsible who are still living today should be called to account for their actions. The government owes the people of Malaysia who have been left to pick up the pieces from this financial disaster a duty to effect a proper closure. I will be making a police report to get things started.

Mahathir’s Supporter takes a shot at Tunku Aziz.

Former DAP Vice Chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim has apparently bitten off more than he can chew in taking potshots at former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad who has questioned Najib Abdul Razak’s qualification to be Prime Minister and demanded that he step down. Mahathir’s beef with Najib is the scandal-ridden 1MDB, among others.

Former New Straits Times Political Editor Firdaus Abdullah, for one, has reminded Tunku Aziz in a series of tweets that those who stay in glass houses should not throw stones.“Don’t be a political prostitute cos you have an axe to grind,” tweeted Firdaus who also blogs as Apanama. “Don’t let me shame you.”

READ ON: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/06/01/dont-be-a-political-prostitute-tunku-aziz-told/

Najib : To Stay for UMNO and continue Tun Razak’s Legacy

May 18, 2015

Phnom Penh

by  Akyaa Azhar@www.malaysiakini.com

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and former premier Dr Mahathir continued to trade barbs. While Tun Dr. Mahathir reiterated that  the incumbent should step down, Najib  took a swipe at the former Premier stating that he was able to remain in power for more than two decades because of the UMNO constitution.

Speaking at an event organised  by the UMNO Veterans Club in Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur today, Najib stressed that he did not wish to tread the same path. He pointed out that he was the first UMNO President elected after the constitution was amended.

The amendment saw the total number of delegates eligible to vote increased and the quota system abolished. “Previously, only 2,600 people in Kuala Lumpur will vote for the President. (Sixty nominations) are needed to challenge the President,” said Najib. “Do you think it’s easy to do so? No way. That’s why Mahathir managed to stay for 22 years,” he added.

Dr M’s time had problems too

Najib said he too could remain as the longest-serving prime minister, but opted to be chosen through democratic means. “Since I was chosen democratically, why must I be disturbed? Why must I resign from my post? I will continue this fight for the party’s interests,” thundered Najib to the crowd of about 300 people.

As he continued to hit out at Mahathir for having “many more problems” during his tenure as Prime Minister.

“It’s not like there were no problems then. There were many, it’s just that I don’t want to mention. Too many. Why must we wash our dirty linens in public? It’s only detrimental for us. We should defend our party, not destroy it. If we have a problem, we rectify it and find a way to solve it,” he said.

Najib all for Vision 2020

Meanwhile, Najib said he had many more duties to deliver, such as realising Vision 2020. “Even though it was Mahathir who inspired Vision 2020, I don’t mind it because it was a good vision.

“But whatever that I believe is not suitable, I will not implement. Although he does not agree with (cash aid) BR1M, I think it’s good because people can use the money to buy rice, milk and sugar. At least the poor can receive assistance from the government. We shouldn’t focus on mega projects only,” he said, in an obvious dig at Mahathir who is known to have a penchant for mega projects,

Meanwhile, the Premier also said that he had joined politics to continue the struggle left by his father, Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, the late  TunAbdul Razak Hussein.”If my father was the country’s father of development, I am determined to not only continue his struggle, but to bring the people to a higher level. “That’s why whatever policy I have introduced as Prime Minister, it is not far from the party’s principles,” he said, pointing out that it was he who upgraded ITM to university status when he was Education Minister and increased the university’s enrollment.

The Now Infamous Tabung Haji-1MDB Land Deal–Heads Must Roll

May 9, 2015

Phnom Penh by The Mekong

MY COMMENT: What is happening to Malaysia? We are not short of news that soil the image of our country abroad and undermine public trust in the Najib administration. Our country is rotting and I can smell the stench from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

It is a sorry state of affairs when professional accountants and senior public servants fail to protect the interest of stakeholders of Tabung Haji, the much respected, trusted, and successful  pilgrim fund which was set up to enable Malaysian muslims who are members of the Fund to save for their pilgrimage.

By using their savings to purchase the land from 1MDB at an inflated price, these individuals have failed in their fiduciary duty, which is to ensure that the funds are prudently invested. And it is not known whether a proper independent  evaluation was undertaken. We will never now since all documents relating to this transaction are now classified under the Official Secrets Act. I am told that Tabung Haji has filed a police report in connection with the leaked documents.

The whole  Tabung Haji -1MDB deal is an example of blatant conflict of interest. It cannot be said that this transaction is conducted on  an arms length basis “since senior Tabung Haji executives – CEO Tan Sri Ismee Ismail, Deputy CEO Johan Abdullah, Investment Panel member Tan Sri Abdul Samad Alias and Director Tan Sri Irwan Siregar – also hold top positions in 1MDB, where Ismee is a director in the state investment fund, Johan is Chairman and both Abdul Samad and Irwan sit on the 1MDB advisory board. Irwan is also the Ministry of Finance Secretary-General” are involved.

In the meantime, the Auditor-General continues to drag his feet on the audit of the financial affairs of IMDB. This is totally unacceptable since the Malaysian public demands a full and thorough report from Tan Sri Ambrin. This feet dragging nonsense is one clear indication that our entire system of governance is dysfunctional and our country is in a mess. I fail to understand why we Malaysians in general are content to accept the status quo. We  continue to allow our leaders, government officials and those in charge of government-linked corporations to act with impunity. Najib and his cohorts must be held to account for all the scandals that have occurred since he took office in 2009.

It is  encouraging to note that the UMNO Youth under Khairy Jamaluddin is making a stand on this Tabung Haji-1MDB land deal. Let us hope that Mr. Jamaluddin is not just playing to the gallery. Only UMNO collectively can act to remove this incompetent and dishonest Prime Minister.  Najib is UMNO’s problem. It is also time for the Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhiyuddin Yassin to make his stand. He cannot just stand back and watch while our country rots.–Din Merican

by The Malaysian Insider

Heads must roll over the controversial 1Malaysia Development Bhd-Lembaga Tabung Haji land deal, but the buck stops with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who must bear the ultimate responsibility by resigning, a DAP lawmaker said today.

Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari said this was the first time a political issue had gained so much traction and agreement from both sides of the political divide with strong statements coming from not only DAP, PKR and PAS, but also UMNO leaders past and present.

“To begin with, the entire debacle would not even have occurred had it not been for 1MDB’s misadventures, resulting in the sovereign fund racking up a massive debt of RM42 billion, which it now appears unable to repay.

“Therefore, responsibility lies on the shoulders of the man who is not only chairman of 1MDB’s Board of Advisers, but also the person responsible for appointing all the key personnel in both Lembaga Tabung Haji and 1MDB. There does not appear to be any other option. Najib must bear the ultimate responsibility by resigning with immediate effect,” Zairil said in a statement issued in Kuala Lumpur today.

Tabung Haji, a savings fund for Muslims to go to Mecca on pilgrimage, confirmed two days ago it bought a parcel of land from state strategic investor 1MDB’s Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) project for RM188.5 million, which it claimed was a “discounted” price.

It plans to build a residential tower at the site. News of the purchase was first published in The Benchmark blog three days ago when it revealed documents related to the land purchase. Tabung Haji has lodged a Police report over the leaked documents.

Zairil said it was clear the “ship is sinking”, where in addition to UMNO Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin’s stinging reproach on the land deal, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal had also warned of a loss in confidence and raised serious concerns over the management of 1MDB.

He said given the rate the issue was unfolding, Putrajaya look set to capitulate unless visible steps were taken immediately to ensure accountability. “In plain and in no uncertain terms, those responsible must be made to pay the price,” said Zairil, who is also DAP Assistant Secretary-General.

It has been revealed that senior Tabung Haji executives – CEO Tan Sri Ismee Ismail, deputy CEO Johan Abdullah, investment panel member Tan Sri Abdul Samad Alias and director Tan Sri Irwan Siregar – also hold top positions in 1MDB, where Ismee is a director in the state investment fund, Johan is chairman and both Abdul Samad and Irwan sit on the 1MDB advisory board. Irwan is also the Ministry of Finance Secretary-General.

He also asked whose interests did Ismee, Johan, Abdul Samad and Irwan have in mind when they decided to put the land deal together, questioning if the four were acting on behalf of the millions of Muslim depositors of Tabung Haji or if they were more concerned about the flagging financial fortunes of 1MDB.

He added that the entire senior management and board of directors of Tabung Haji had also failed to carry out their fiduciary duty as managers of public funds and also as trustees of a religious duty.

He added this was not limited to those with a foot each in Tabung Haji and 1MDB, but to the entire team including Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Sri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim. “The whole Tabung Haji leadership must be replaced,” Zairil said.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

PKR Lily Wan Azizah wins Permatang Pauh but with reduced majority

May 8, 2015

Phnom Penh by The Mekong

by Sheridan Mahavera and Looi Sue-Chern

With a smaller voter turnout, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) had its absolute majority slashed by more than 3,000 votes in Permatang Pauh yesterday, but analysts dissecting the by-election said Barisan Nasional (BN) was still the bigger loser.

There are also warnings for both sides, as BN’s losses came from among Malay votes, while Pakatan Rakyat (PR) appeared to concede some Chinese votes to BN. BN’s failure to get more votes in Permatang Pauh, especially from Malay areas, mirrored the cold shoulder it got from the largely Malay seat of Rompin in the by-election there three days ago, said political analyst Dr Wong Chin Huat (right). Although BN was the incumbent in Rompin, its support level went down by 5% from 2013 levels.

BN failed to take advantage of the infighting between PKR and ally PAS, and despite a strident machinery, did not manage to erode support for PKR’s Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. She won by a margin of 8,841 votes against BN’s Suhaimi Sabudin.

Given the lower voter turnout, her win translates into 57% of all ballots cast, roughly the same vote share PKR had in the 13th general election. In the national polls two years ago with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as candidate, it took 58.56% of votes.

In contrast, BN received 40.1% of all votes cast in Permatang Pauh this time, slightly less than the 40.3% it received in 2013.This is despite BN pouring vast amounts of resources into its campaign and the disunity in the PR machinery, which saw some PAS allies threatening to boycott PKR.

“BN campaigned hard and we expected PR to suffer. But they did not increase their votes even with all the PR infighting,” said Wong, of the Penang Institute. Noth BN and PR have internal struggles, the former from attacks against its chairman, who is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, and the opposition from discord over hudud and threats of sabotage by some segments of PAS against PKR in Permatang Pauh.

Yet, even with internal strife in both camps, BN was the weaker of the two, Wong said. It failed in this by-election to capitalise on the chaos and disillusionment with PR to garner more votes.

PKR outpolled Suhaimi in Permatang Pasir and Penanti, constituencies with majority Malay populations of 72% and 76% respectively. Dr Wan Azizah won 63% of the popular votes in Permatang Pasir and 57% of all votes cast in Penanti.She won majorities in 16 out of 19 polling districts in those two constituencies. In at least eight of those districts, she managed to beat Suhaimi by a vote margin of 2 to 1.

Dr Wan Azizah said after the results were made official last night, that Malay votes went up by 4% to 5%, mostly among young voters.“At the end of the day, people may not like the PR but they hate BN more,” said Wong.

Taking a different view was Wan Saiful Wan Jan (left) who said PR had nothing to shout about since it did not increase its vote share even with all the issues plaguing BN, such as the unpopular goods and services tax (GST) and scandals involving government-owned fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

PR’s infighting prevented it from getting more support from a public disenchanted with BN, Wan Saiful said. (Permatang Pauh) showed that even if people are angry with BN, they are not convinced enough to vote PR. This is why PR really needs to resolve its internal squabbles soon.”

Those squabbles, he argued, were starting to eat into its support base among the Chinese.In Sungai Lembu, a polling district which is 98.7% Chinese, BN managed to increase its support of the popular vote to 30.4% compared with the 16% it garnered in 2013, according to Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang.

Wong, however, said this did not represent a true swing of the Chinese vote towards BN but more of a reluctance to vote for PR this time. This is based on lower turnout – 75% of Sungai Lembu’s 533 voters came out to vote in the by-election, compared with the 90% in 2013.

Also, there was no swing apparent in Seberang Jaya, a constituency with a 23% Chinese population.“There were ads in a Chinese newspaper that said that ‘both sides are disappointing’, so it could have swayed Chinese voters to stay home and not go out and vote,It is unrealistic to expect Chinese voters to go back to BN, but realistically, they could stay home and not vote.BN does not need the Chinese to vote for it, all it needs is for the Chinese to not vote for PR.” .” said Wong.

Either way, if PR’s internal discord continues and makes voters feel it is no better than BN, it could hurt the opposition pact’s ability to hold on to marginal seats.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com