The Pakatan needs to carry out a serious postmortem to find out why and how it was thrashed in Bagan Pinang.
Posters of the Kg Buah Pala demolition were found around Ladang Siliau in Bagan Pinang on nomination day – Photo by Tiger
In some ways, the BN victory was not unexpected. Perhaps the scale of the defeat surprised many. But a few keen political analysts noticed something amiss ahead of polling day and predicted that Isa would win comfortably as noted in my post here.
So far, many have pointed to some obvious reasons for the BN’s landslide win:
Pull factors:
- Isa was a popular, well-known – albeit tainted – local candidate.
- Bagan Pinang is an Umno stronghold.
- All kinds of promises and enticements were made, especially to army personnel about improved facilities.
- Questions about the postal balloting system persisted.
- And of course, the mainstream media were used in the campaigning (but then the last three points were no different from previous by-elections – except there were more postal ballots here).
Push factors:
The problems caused by certain Pas politicians in Selangor, and the bad press the party received over attempts to ban concerts and the like could have contributed to the defeat. In many ways, these Pas politicians have not learnt from GE1999, when they mistook increased support for their party (then under the Barisan Alternatif) as a vote for more conservative religious laws and an Islamic state. But then, the party was mauled in GE2004.
These Pas politicians are now making the same mistake by assuming that the support for Pas in GE2008 was because voters want more conservative religious regulations even at the local level in places like Selangor. But then, look what happened in Bagan Pinang…
“(The loss is the) result of Pas screwing everything, I think,” wrote a political scientist, who happens to be a Muslim, in a text message to me. He added that the result was expected and about time too, and lamented the PKR’s inability to stand up to Pas. He pointed out that “Anwar’s gutless stand” in this respect suggests that “they (PKR) are prepared to cut cards with the devil to get Anwar to power at all costs”.
In a way, the Pakatan defeat could have a silver lining: it could strengthen the hand of the moderates within Pas such as Mat Sabu, Khalid Samad, Husam Musa and of course, Nizar.
PKR’s own inability to rein in certain elected reps from upsetting Pakatan supporters might have also cost the alliance some votes. DAP-PKR bickering, intra-party infighting and the perception that some Pakatan elected reps are more interested in securing positions of power instead of being focused on serving the rakyat surely did not help the campaign either.
As for the DAP, one observer emailed me, “If you get the chance to speak to LGE, tell him to get his Pakatan act together. Take this ‘probation’ period of five years to do house cleaning and remove all the baggage in the party. Or else it will just be a one-time surprise.” The same would apply to other Pakatan leaders and their parties.
The demolition of Kg Buah Pala – and the loss of the Makkal Sakthi factor – also would have eroded support for the Pakatan especially in estate areas.
Tiger, a Chinese Malaysian campaigning for Pas in Bagan Pinang who had visited Kg Buah Pala, sent me the photo of the posters above along with the following remarks:
This was one of BN’s tactics to win the Indian vote, and they did win the three Indian-Malaysian majority voting districts of Siliau, Ladang Atherton and Sua Betong – which in GE2008 were all won by Pas.
The issue of KBP will not be forgotten for a long time to come, as an example of social injustice perpetrated by a supposedly pro-people new state government.
If Pakatan Rakyat cannot understand this, they do not deserve to rule.
Harsh words, no doubt, especially when the Kg Buah Pala deal was approved by the BN. But perception in politics is also important. Did the Pakatan administration in Penang convey the impression that it was trying its level best to live up to its election promises and save the village by delaying the land transfer while it carried out an in-depth probe?
Among some segments of the middle-class, political betrayal may be par for the course. But when politicians make promises to the working class who are living on the margins of society, they’d better live up to them.
I was at the Freedom Film Festival in Penang on Saturday and one of the documentaries screened was about the demolition of Kg Berembang, a Malay settlement (and its surau) in Selangor, in 2007. One of the facilitators pointed out that the demolition swung popular support away from the BN in surrounding area during GE2008.
Just as Kg Berembang was one of the many factors contributing to the “perfect storm” that unleashed the political tsunami of 8 March 2008, the effect of the Kg Buah Pala demolition on the psyche of villagers and settlers elsewhere cannot be easily dismissed (even though Guan Eng is confident that the people of Penang are behind him).
The legal issues aside, it’s not going to be easy for either the BN or Pakatan to allow the wholesale demolition of villages in future without broad-ranging consultation with settlers especially in cases where they have lived on the land for generations. The gut-wrenching spectre of grandparents, parents and children wailing and sobbing as their homes are wrecked will extract in its wake a heavy political price.
Which brings me to the final point, brought to my attention by a political economist: the issues raised by the Pakatan tend to come from a middle-class perspective (issues such as corruption, civil and political rights – important as they are). But there is a class divide here: people living on the threshold of poverty are struggling to make ends meet, to put food on the dinner-table and to provide for their families. This is not to say that democracy, accountability and human rights are not important. Of course they are.
But economic issues do play a part. Has Pakatan clearly articulated its socio-economic agenda (apart from welfarism) when it is so obviously business-oriented? Does it even have a common position on a minimum wage and workers’ rights, for instance? What about insisting that all plantation firms provide their workers with adequate housing?
How does the Pakatan propose to deal with rising food prices? Many are constantly complaining about ever-increasing food prices in the market. How can the Pakatan talk about lowering or stabilising food prices when all its attention is on business and industry such that it barely talks about sustainable agriculture and farming?
And yet, higher food prices will hurt the poor the most. From what we have seen, the Pakatan seems unable to connect with the issues that matter most among many segments of rural voters – farmers, estate workers, fisherfolk – who remain cut off from the mainstream of development and the media.
So many lessons to be learned from Bagan Pinang – especially the fact that voters cannot be taken for granted anymore by either the BN or Pakatan.
This was a defeat waiting to happen and it should serve as a reality check and wake-up call for the Pakatan.
If the lessons are heeded, then this by-election defeat could be a blessing in disguise for the Pakatan in its long-term struggle. If not…
Related posts:
If LGE still stubborn and not reveal all exco minute regarding to Kg Buah Pala issue, I will predict BN will always use this as election agenda to attack PR. Indian voters surely will get emotional and subsequently vote for BN no matter how tainted or corrupt the BN candidate is. For a complete solution, it is better for LGE to tell all and better to admit any mistake made, just like hishamudin appologize to chinese voters right after GE12. Anyway, I’m busy to attend celebration functions with my team members. Bravo to BN. I predict our PM Najib will rule for next 22 years of excellent governance! Long live BN!!!
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forget about all the above grand points. apart from the postal votes, the main reason is the voters there are very short sighted and taken in by the goodies in front of their eyes
they do not bother with national issues. they are kept just alive hence even a wee bit of material enticement should be enough to convince them
anyway, attributing this to PAS screwing everything id good too. at least now there is a warning sign. Nik should have a nice long heart to heart talk with Hassan and come up with some form of firm action
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Don’t be so naive to think that you are only one got brain to think.
Indian wanted to teach DAP a lesson for being arrogant ans insincere to help the poor.
Chinese wanted to teach PAS a lesson for “talibanize” Malaysia.
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The fact LGE is not a Penangite is a factor in demolishing Kg Buah Pala. He had practically no feelings about demolishing. And the fact the whole which was expired but rushed in two weeks after coming to power seems to indicate somethings are not right. Ask him how he felt and DAP protested vehemently when they wanted to develop Bukit Cina in Malacca although it was more of graveyard right in the heart of town compared to this Buah Pala where it was stated as the only authentic Indian village. And this created alot of Penang Chinese supporters of LGE questioning the dissatisfaction of Indians on the compensation amount.
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I don’t think that LGE not being a Penangite factored in the demolishment of KBP. MOST penangites themselves don’t care.
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That is why I always condemn DAP is color blind in ACTION. DAP is still ran by a group of chauvinistic Chinese.
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The ex cheap minister … A Penangite has been exposed selling to developer. How can a home grown cheap minister does it to his own folks?
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Long LIVE BN !!!!
LONG LIVE BAGAN PINANG !!!!
LONG LIVE BUAH PALA !!!!
LONG LIVE FOR ANOTHER 22 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE GOVERNANCE !!!
LONG LIVE 1MALAYSIA ??????
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http://zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com/2009/10/im-stumpedthe-indians-in-bagan-pinang.html
Yup Long live BN!!! PM Najib will rule for next 22 years of excellent governance!
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Ha ha ha ha ha. This is the article made many Indian puked! Who is gandhi? Bringing this irrelevant figure as justification for voting? Kugan case already in court proceeding. To make it an issue really (put) off many including chinese and malay.
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Are the people of Penang still solidly behind LGE as in the GE12? You can now hear a lot of murmurings in the coffee shops, about how ineffective the PR Government is, though to be fair, they had not fared to badly, in the sense that they did not or have not screwed the Penangnites like the previous Government did. But, Penangnites want improved services and less politickings from PR.
Putting up those billboards only serves to remind us that we are in daily confrontation with the Federal Government, which we are not. We expect the Government of the day, after they are formed, to start working for the people and not to remind us that we are solidly behind them to confront or to embarass the Federal Government everyday. We do not want politics to stoop so low in our State. Are they countering the billboards that the BN put up of Najib’s visiting Tok Guru in hospital during the BP by election? That was, only, but temporarily! Are we going to keep up with this billboards during the duration of their tenure in office? But, how long will they put up the ” tak nak ISA” billboards? According to LGE, he was encouraged to do so after a few bloggers approached him to do so.
Have you, LGE, understood the mood of the rakyat?
We do not want to be dragged into confronting the Federal Government everyday!!!!! Those childish sign boards shows how shallow the political thinkings of the current DAP leaders in Penang are. Tok Guru, would have taken the lead to do so if he wanted to do so, and for the past eighteen years, but as a responsible and reasonable leader, he understand the needs of the Rakyat instead of dragging them into the mess. Tok Guru had every reason to do it, his son was imprisoned in Kamunting for many years, but did he drag the Rakyat into the fray with the Federal Government? The answer is no, LGE!!!!!!! Wake up, unless you wish to be kicked out in the next GE.
Come on, politics is not into shaming one another, we agree that the ISA is no good and had been badly abused, but, why drag Penang into it? There are other states controlled by PR like Selangor which would create a better awareness if they put up those billboards, but did they? Why don’t they? Because they have better things to do and other priorities than putting up those billboards and instigating the Federal Government every day. We will continue to support the PR but not when you bring us and drag us into the fray against the Federal Government non stop. We want more monies in our pockets, a more conducive transport system, better academic opportunites and work opportunities, not, those sickening billboards, which is a waste of public funds!
Wake up and sit up, I heard murmurs of discontent against the DAP at a coffee shop in Jalan Tengah on Sunday, and if DAP reps are still sleeping, go on, you will wake up from your slumbers, real soon and realized that the powers bestowed upon you by us, the Rakyat had been taken away from you.
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Hi Really ?….I concur with you on this issue of the idiotic billboards. In addition to the points you raised, I have the below questions.
1. Why only “Tak Nak ISA” ? A lot of bloggers too wanted KBP to be preserved, Local Elections Held, PORR cancelled, KBP minutes released,etc,etc.
2. This is the first time a state govt is wasting public funds on politics. What if BN-run states retaliate by putting up “NO to KBP demolishment” or “No to Beer Ban” etc ?
3. The cost of the billboard said to be less than Rm2000. Is this belivable ? …
4. How this action will help Penang or rakyat in any way ?
5. What would be this action contribute to the progress of civil society and democracy in Malaysia ? I am afraid this will only invite “tit for tat” from BN and will make the politics in the country to get worse.
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I am not here to site which side but I guess LGE in Penang got himself in trouble when facing KBP issue because Penang majority is not supporting the state government to pay for the land. So LGE will be either loosing penang people support or India community support. Which site you will choose if you are him.
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If the Indian continues to be cheated over Kg Buah Pala issue by BN and choose to be emotional ,more cow head incidents will happen.
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Truth be told. Negri, Melaka and Johor malays are all obstinately blind Umno supporters, especially the rural folks.
In Negri, Pas and PKR made some inroads in the urban’s Paroi, Sikamat and Ampangan constituencies. In other rural constituencies, Pas fared badly in the 2008 GE. It is far-fetched to expect Pas to win Bagan Pinang.
In Bagan Pinang, you have rural voters and the army postal voters. Rural voters are just plain stupid. The present army personnels are not real ‘soldiers’ in the true sense. That is why they voted for a corrupt Isa Samad. The Army of the 70s and 80s then has been the nation’s fighters against communism that led to the communist surrender. Corruption is far more dangerous compared to communism and both are a threat to national security together with chauvinism. Yet nearly 3000 army personnels voted for a corrupt Isa Samad. You would have to ask; Do the present day soldiers really care for national security? I don’t think so. (Many of them) just care about their bread and butter; attributes and attitudes of amateurish soldiers. The 600++ soldiers who voted against Isa are the real ‘soldiers’. A tribute to them for rejecting corruption….
(Many of the) Bagan Pinang (voters)… are just plain stupid… All they benefitted from voting (are handouts). After that life will be back to normal and Isa will be scheming … again.
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NS Voter
Your rambling post is an insult to the rakyat and democracy. Please respect the people’s wishes and that’s the foundation of democracy. What you are advocating is a dictatorship where Pakatan rules based on their whims and fancies and has forgotten that they are given a chance by the rakyat to serve them and not the other way around.
The biggest danger for the country is not so much corruption any longer as Najib has shown that the past abuses will no longer be tolerated. The real danger is the cancerous disunity and polarisation of the country that could destroy our nation. And many people are fearful of PAS’ inclusive agenda and slow Talibanization of Malaysia.
While UMNO’s ethnic politics has been destructive and damaging in the past, they at least were and are willing to work with other races and come to a working arrangement (albeit one that skewed to them). Now that Najib has shown a real desire to a more equitable administration, it is no surprise that many non Malay Malaysians have been taken us by his policies.
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My comment is insulting to the Bagan Pinang voters only. Where got democracy in M’sia with these (alleged) rampang cheating and (alleged) election rigging. I’m not rambling lah. Can’t you differentiate between fact and fiction. What I say is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in the context of the voting pattern in Negri, Melaka and Johor. I am a Negri voter so I know what I’m talking about. You have a right to disagree with me. Anyway where are you registered as a voter. NS?
By the way you also partially agree with some things that I say. I said the three threats to national security are communism, corruption and chauvinism. Your ramblings is all about Umno’s chauvinism.
Morgan and Stanley reported that Malaysia had lost RM300 billion through corruption and Bagan has just elected a very corrupted former MB as its rep and you say corruption is no longer a threat. Are you in Malaysis now?
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Dear Anil, Look! Kg Buah Pala doesn’t have heritage value. And the family in KBP are getting good deal but because all the politicians were using KBP resident to get political mileage. If this is a strong Indian community place that need to be preserved, they need a significant factor to preserved it. Moreover it was the previous government that sold the land to their cronies and now everyone blame at LGE….
With a new change, all the races started to demand on for their own race again and again. Is just not going anywhere, we just open our eyes wider to look at the bigger picture.
sigh. >.< when Malaysian that wanted changes also blind by the skin colour and not rational about the situation will only see another state that fall like Perak as reported live by you Anil. sigh how authentic is KBP when the basic Indian temple was not even built there in the first place. Talking about feeling, the KTM old station was abandon because there was a Siam feature “dome” and the demolish of Pudu Jail another heritage that should be keeping. What about Kampung Baru? My grandpa still struggle with BN to give us the $400million. Look! you really think that people in that place will have feeling about the place? No man. Is dollars and cents. Only people that not living there are the champion for many reason. Why do I need to post this. sigh.
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This anil is look at the wrong thing. Look the only jail in the city in the whole world is demolished and yet weere are all those NGOs. Where are the voices where Pudu Jail has more history than Kg Buah Pala. The jail has more reasons to pereseve than Kg Buah Pala.
Clearly the usual Greenies barking at the wrong tree.
Anil, please review if you are getting something from Gerakan?
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Anil,
1. Seeing the reactions by PAS-PKR and DAP leaders as well as their supporters in various blogs and forums on why they were defeated BIG TIME in Bagan Pinang confirms my suspicion that they will NEVER change.
2. They tried to spin and blame the defeat because BN did this and BN did that.
3. Azmin Ali, the 2nd man in charge in PKR even went as far as to blame the rakyat for PR defeat!!??
4. These stupid reaction by these leaders truly show who they really are. They dont care for the rakyat. They NEVER did!
5. I can assure you and all your readers that a year from now BN popularity will come back and Najib will be one of the most if not the most popular Prime Minister in Malaysia’s history.
6. People might laugh at that statement now but you’ll see in a couple of years time this will come true.
7. Pakatan Rakyat blames BN as well as the Rakyat for their defeat.
8. But we all know WHY they were defeated :
a. Kampung Buah Pala – a Major issue amongst Indians there.
b. Zorro Drama
c. Zulkefly Omar – Hadi’s men
d. Corruption issue – Backfired because now more young voters realise that Zaid Ibrahim and Anwar Ibrahim just to name a few from PR also were involved in (money politics/)corruption.
e. PR last minute belittling the Indians in various pro-PR blogs i.e. Bernard Khoo’s blog
b. The rakyat saw NO improvement in PR states other than blaming BN for everything and finding faults of the previous BN state govt.
Fatimah
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Personally I dislike Najib after my own experience on his … racial hatred speech in the Kampung Baru in 1987.
His so-called pro-rakyat policies may change perception on his leadership and win the heart of more voters. With 55% Malay, 50% Chinese and 70% Indian voters are good enough for BN to control 2/3 in the parliament.
I believe DAP and PAS will be playing opposition role forever by judging from their blame and cock-fighting games.
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Aiyah, another UMNO member …
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This kind of blame BN mindset makes PR a permanent opposition.
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Anil, perhaps you should read some bloggers take on the matter. No mention on KBP issue whatsoever. Note they are not DAP-PAS-PKR members.
http://sakmongkol.blogspot.com/
http://syedsoutsidethebox.blogspot.com/2009/10/bagan-pinang.html
http://aspanaliasnet.blogspot.com/
What does it say ?
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Anil,
So, it’s all about KBP right.
Hey, people,
Can somebody fight for my granddad’s land which was obliterated so as to build car park. The piece of land is not in land-scarce Penang but in Kuala Kangsar. The joke is my mum was once from MCA……
Anil,
You are indeed a joker…..You know God allow Babylonian to destroyed the Temple & took away all precious items from the Temple. It’s built on the orders of Solomon……..Comparing the Temple Mount & KBP? Which one got more heritage value?
Apa macam, Anil? Be Job having shrek discourse with God. When are you going to learn that it’s not the end of the world? KBP folks got their terrace house. Meanwhile, my granddad got lathing
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So looes74 what do you say ? We allow LGE run wild and destroy whatever building and village that he likes in the name of the development ? Or we allow LGE to be elected as the Supreme Leader of the Fascist State of Penang with dictatorial powers and aided by the Stormtroopers of DAP ?
DAP – Development Above People
CAT – Condos, Apartment and Townhouses
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GERAKAN has been exposed by PR for selling cheap land to Developers and changing to TOL. The ex cheap minister for selling cheap land has bereen silence all the time
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Anil,
you still havent finish with your kg buah pala issue.
are you from bn? i really have doubts in you and your sincerity.
the people who voted for Isa are pure stupid. they just proved that in malaysia, votes and dignity can be bought.
why arent you hitting the cow head issue but just focused on the buah pala issue?
to us, kg buah pala’s case is close. what heritage are you talking about?
you wanna to talk about heritage? the indian temple in shah alam also has its share.
so dont be a hypocrite Anil.
I mentioned earlier, you can be hero for the kg buah pala folks.
If pakatan doesnt concentrate on getting investors and business opportunities, who is gonna provide job opportunity to the blue collar workers who are mainly indians and malays?
can you? if you can, then only you talk about minimum wages and socio economic issues.
please dont give your biased opinions. the kg indians may buy your idea but not the folks in town.
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Alonso,
Anil is delusional & can’t prioritise which is more important. His exuberance passion on nature & conservation blind him from making rational & objective decision. It’s these people who has given BN 52 years of rule.
Enough said about KBP as the mention of KBP makes my blood boils. I am yelling at my mum being MCA wanita chairman in Kuala Kangsar can’t even secure a double storey terrace house from my grand daddy ouster from that land. It’s turned into a car parking lot. Oh, if I were there, I would do a Sugumaran’s act. My granddad got nothing from the land he stayed for plenty of years. The heck with TOL thingy. I thought that KBP folks paid TOL fees, so technically they are squarters. By the way, Gerakan has been talking lotsa thingy on technicality. That’s why Gerakan is aftering PR Exco minutes.
Ok, need to have a thorough post mortem. Identify the weaknesses. Learn from mistakes. However, make sure do not learn wrong lesson from that massacre
Alonso,
I don’t see this as a Wake Up call for Pakatan Rakyat. It’s a Wake Up Call for non UMNO political component parties within BN. Just before the by election, UMNO folks during retreat comes to a conclusion that non BN members ain’t performing. They suggested that UMNO should not be generous in allocating seats to non BN component parties. And then, Isa Samad won with a thumping victory with increase support from non malays. Just wonder….Hmm…..where does non BN component parties stand? Gerakan……Already mampus, no point talking
Then we have Isa Samad convicted of money politics won in by election. I am not sure Anil Netto see the danger of such trend. It’s far worse than the loss of KBP village. Guess which UMNO member is suspended for 3 years in Penang. What did he say about the Pendatang? When 3 years’s up, that fella stands for election & won. By any freak election, he becomes Deputy Chief Minister or Chief Minister of Penang, I do wonder why Anil Netto is going to stand.
You guys got to decide what’s important. Anil should sue against the British who raze Dresden to ashes during world war 2. There, plenty of heritage there….In fact, it’s far worst……It’s strategic bombing, bomb the Germans to submission……With no military value……I will fight tooth & nail of preserving the HERITAGE there.
1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Dresden_in_World_War_II
Alonso,
It’s not good to say that people in Bagan Pinang are stupid. They are simply ignorant…. Or if you are a christian, Remember the grouses made by some Jews after leaving Eyqpt en route to promised land
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Looes74
You gotta ask yourself who is being delusional and emotional here. The credibility and impartiality of Anil is beyond questioning. It is people like you the hard core DAP cyber stormtroopers who desperately defending the honour of LGE and his beloved DAP.
Your arguement is flawed. You claim you were angry about the loss of your grand dad yet you don’t give a damn about KBP. One would expect a victim of alleged injustice like you to understand the pain of KBP. Instead you show selective application of principles and morality.
You just got to admit that PAS and Pakatan were trounced in BP and one of the key reasons was KBP issue. Despite my previous posts on KBP and its deep impact on Indians, many of DAP cybertroopers here (you included) displayed a blissful ignorance and even hatred for the KBP residents. So I guess it is PAY-BACK TIME.
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My pain comes from How Gerakan selling cheap land to Developers and pakat with Umno.Why the ex cheap minister is quiet all the time. Now the xe cheap minister gets promoted to be a federal minister – for his deed to Kg buah pala?
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Anil, if you read some bloggers take on why PAS lost, there is no mention whatsoever about KBP issue.
These bloggers are not PAS, PKR or DAP members.
http://syedsoutsidethebox.blogspot.com/
http://sakmongkol.blogspot.com/
They could go to town on the matter about LGE’s incompetence but no mention at all .
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PAS lost due to as they themselves put it, “cawat or loin-cloth political mentality”….
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Let see how BN treats all those settlers is they are better than PR. Mind you how can UMNO and Gerakn be rich – side incomes or jack up the prices of land…
Those in CPC forced out settlers or buy land at low price, build and selling at high prices. imagine, apartments that can worth millions yuan but workers work 12 hours at 10 or 20 yuan/hr.
In KL, there are many illegals in the forest reserve and UMNO/Gerakan (supporters) are (allegedly) collecting rents from them but malaysians have no where to go.
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Anil, You hit the nail on the head. All the chauvinist DAP supporters have a problem with the truth that the Indians have hit back and hit them where it hurts most. UMNO too cannot take the votes for granted – now the Indian voters have become savvy, their votes come with a price, pay it and take it , no more free rides -rayer, karpal and kapitan lge
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Savvy all right! No saree, no murukku, no vote?
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Bg Pinang is the first nail on the coffin of PR, time and again I have written in many forums, KBP will haunt DAP and PR till the grave, enjoy it more to come, all liars can enjoy life till we meet in the grave…..PR tell the truth, admit your mistakes, but that will not give you a second chance…
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The KBP issue has been delibrately kept alive for political reasons – one of the reasons the Indians voted BN was becos of sarees and Milo and promises of other goodies. The voters not only rejected PAs but Hindraf Uthaya as well – so far no comments from him.
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lie detector & sarah
Why do you have to resort to racism ? Why are you implying Indians are easily bought ? When Indians voted for Pakatan in GE, you praised them and described them as enlightened and even shouted “Makkal Sakthi” with them.
Now when they vote for BN, you abuse them and look down on them.
FYI, the non-Malay percentage for Isa was even higher than the Malay percentage. I heard 73% Indians and Chinese voted for BN.
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//If pakatan doesnt concentrate on getting investors and business opportunities, who is gonna provide job opportunity to the blue collar workers who are mainly indians and malays?//
Wow!!!!, great more jobs for the blue collar workers but can anyone tell us, what penang govt can offer to attract more investors?
2 months ago, 2 group 0f investors, one from spore & one from taiwan went to see the state govt hoping to invest in penang but they went home shaking their heads cos they could not get an answer from the state about the policy to attract investment to the state. it’s already 2 years but nothing concrete is done to improve the situation.
and do u know that in other states, they can plant paddy thrice a yr but in penang, it’s still twice & nobody is doing anything to improve it even though there are still more than 12000 ha of land reserved for paddy planting. Wow, we want to talk abt getting more FDI…. hahahaha!!!
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hey ck,
who would want to plant paddy in penang? you?
and about the taiwanese and singaporean investors, do you know what actually happened?
if you dun know the actual reason, then go and get the facts. dun make a fool of yourself!
if you still dun know, let me tell you. the PG government is not willing and not as stupid as the KTK who can sell (out) just to get FDI and say yes to everything to the investors.
Btw, What happened to the billion billion FDI promised by Zambry in Perak?
anyway i dun think you know anything about how taiwanese investors plunder the resources and incentives given by the government and financial instituitions of the countries they invest in.
way to go fren.
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There will always be people whose dignity can be bought. In history we have lots and lots of them. We just have to keep going to get “critical mass”
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PR win, voters are dignified. PR lose, voters are without dignity.
Stop this kind of (rubbish) if PR wanted to be a serious contender against BN.
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Lim Guan Eng (appears to) have taken the Indians for granted. I would rather now vote for BN.
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He thought Indians got no place to go except begging PR for help.
DAP is miscalculated and forget that Indians are staunch BN supporters in the past except in GE12.
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Truth be Told-PAS is not ACTIVE in Negri S, Melaka, Johor & Pahang. How ACTIVE are they in BP? How many branches does PAS have in BP? That’s why they have to ride on the coat-tail of DAP there with the active participation of DAP’s Anthony Loke and DAP patronage.
As I have mentioned before this LOST in BP is actually a blessing in disguise[Wake Up Call] for PAS & PR.
I hope it will arouse PR from their slumber and complacency that it will always be easy going from 6-1 to 7-1 to inifinity!
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Anil et al,
Don’t try to be smart alec here and take advantage the lost of PR in Bagan Pinang to spread publicity about Kampung Buah Pala issue. Who cares about Kampung Buah Pala in Bagan Pinang.
Kampung Buah Pala never a real big issue here. Of course BN may have blown out the issue loud and exagerated it as grand as possible . A big win by UMNO majorly due to Isa’s track record, services and contribution to the community here. Peoples regardless of what races will surely support him. With or without Kampung Buah Pala issue.
But did agree PR really need to do a lot of soul searching for the big lost. KBP issue almost a non-issue here but numerous issue surrounding PR internal bickering certainly take a toll of themselves. Particularly Selangor PR.
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