Categories
Liberty Politics & government

[1295] Of a vote for MCA, et al, is a vote for Islamic state

What seems to be ancient history now, there was a time when DAP and PAS as well as PKR chanced sitting together amicably to face a general election. With an ambition to setup an Islamic state, PAS became the bane of DAP. BN played their cards well by employing guilt by association fallacy and DAP performed badly in that election. Come 2007, this is the chance for DAP — or even PKR if they have the balls — to turn that table against BN.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said:

Islam is the official religion and we are an Islamic state. [Malaysia Not Secular State, Says Najib. Bernama. July 17 2007]

I personally disagree with that assertion but I am tired of playing the same game over and over again that by now, I do not feel the urge to rebut the DPM’s statement. I nevertheless take comfort in knowing that many in the blogosphere, from Jeff Ooi to Haris Ibrahim have done a good job in rebutting the DPM. So, if I were to rebut the DPM again, it would be a redundant work. Instead, I wish to share a delightfully marvelous politically strategic opportunity to create a major schism between members of BN.

Of course, of course. The non-Malay, non-Muslim members of the Barisan Nasional have no doubt condemned or at least begged to differ with Najib’s statement. If they, MCA, MIC, Gerakan, etc, really disagree with Najib and by extension UMNO, they should sever their political ties with UMNO. Words mean nothing without action.

Yet, it is unrealistic to have them to distance themselves from UMNO. Power attracts and things like this are not strong an impetus for them to refrain from tasting the honey that UMNO provides, the honey that makes slaves out of them.

The real gold mine is the supporters of MCA, et al. These people need to be convinced that a vote for MCA, et al, is a vote for Islamic state. The association of MCA, et al, with UMNO itself is suffice a reason to convince those supporters that MCA and others within BN are supporting the formation of an Islamic state.

Do you hear me?

This is the golden opportunity to undress the facade of harmony projects by BN. It is the crack for the alerted to make benefit of. Hear ye, hear ye. There is a crack; large enough a crack and race-based political parties will be obsolete!

Repeat after me: say no to Islamic state. Say no to MCA. No to MIC. No to anything that is BN. A vote for them is a vote for Islamic state where liberty will be disrespected with sheer impunity.

Categories
Activism Photography Politics & government

[1294] Of a new political star

Some rights reserved. By Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams.

Categories
Photography

[1293] Of race for the sky

Many are impressed at how buildings are sprouting in Chinese as well as certain Arabic cities. The trend is not alien to Kuala Lumpur at the moment, though the pace is probably less than stellar.

The new buildings in the city are marvelously modern and clean in design. The one besides The Ascott is a great example.

By Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved.

And yes, do notice the yellow crane.

And yes, Kuala Lumpur has blue sky.

Categories
Activism Liberty

[1292] Of interviewed by Pods & Blogs of BBC Radio Five

As Bob mentioned, Bob and I were interviewed by Chris Vallance of Pods & Blogs, BBC Radio Five. The interview centered around Nat’s arrest and bloggers’ reaction. In retrospect, I should not have said “we” as if I were representing all Malaysian bloggers.

An excerpt is available at Bob’s blog. The full version which contains other segment is available at Pods & Blogs’ post entitled Show Notes: Obscenity, Secrets and Facebook.

I was mumbling during the interview but thank you technology.

Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved

p/s — and oh yes, Nat has been released.

Categories
Politics & government

[1291] Of time to jump off the bandwagon

I used to sympathize with the Democrats not long ago but I have jumped off the bandwagon some time after the Democrats conquered the Congress. Why?

Well:

WASHINGTON, July 15 — On Capitol Hill and on the presidential campaign trail, Democrats are increasingly moving toward a full-throated populist critique of the current economy.

Clearly influenced by some of their most successful candidates in last year’s Congressional elections, Democrats are talking more and more about the anemic growth in American wages and the negative effects of trade and a globalized economy on American jobs and communities. They deplore what they call a growing gap between the middle class, which is struggling to adjust to a changing job market, and the affluent elites who have prospered in the new economy. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Democrat of New York, calls it “trickle-down economics without the trickle.” [New Populism Is Spurring Democrats on the Economy. NYT. July 14 2007]

With the Democrats in power of the Congress, I would like to see a Republican President and Ron Paul would do just fine for me. Maybe even Mitt Romney but that is just because Mankiw is his advisor. I certainly do not want to see the mistake of giving too much power to Barisan Nasional in Malaysia repeats itself in the US.

If a Democrat President sits in the Oval Office, I have a feeling a recession — with their protectionist and anti-trade thinking — will hit us all, sooner or later.