Tan Yee Kew (Photo credit: Mysinchew)
Just heard from a KL journalist:
At a ceremony from 10.30am to noon today, Anwar Ibrahim accepted a stack of PKR membership forms from former MCA senior central committee member Tan Yee Kew and 1,700 others described as former BN supporters.
Some 1,500 people packed a convention hall at the Klang Executive Club to witness the handover.
PKR had received over 2,000 application forms from the constituencies of Kapar, Shah Alam and Klang but was able to process only 1,700.
Tan, who was also International Trade and Industry Ministry parliamentary secretary, quit the MCA on 17 July. She said she shared the people’s disenchantment over the widening gap between the rich and the poor, racial discrimination, rampant corruption and abuse of power.
Anwar would of course be familiar with the old “crossover” tactics that the BN traditionally employs ahead of elections. It’s all part of the psy-war to show rising support for the party that uses this tactic. In the past, I would often take such BN “crossover” figures with a big pinch of salt.
So I am not sure how accurate the PKR figure is. But what I can say is that there has been a certain swing away from the BN in the light of the sodomy allegations (which appear to have backfired – no pun intended!), the Altantuya revelations, the oil price hike, and the fall in PM Abdullah’s approval ratings.
The action now shifts to Permatang Pauh tonight for another big ceramah featuring Anwar.
Blog reader Kenny Gan sends us this report:
I was at the PKR event at Klang Executive Club. The hall was packed and the attendees were majority Chinese, some Indians and a sprinkling of Malays. Their ages span a wide range, but most of them were young Chinese, under 30.
Chinese no longer believe in MCA representing them. MCA is definitely on a decline but they seem to carry on sucking up to Umno as if that is the most natural thing to do.
There were 2079 new members for PKR and 1700 attendees. I looked at the fresh, enthusiastic faces of the young Chinese there and I knew MCA is doomed.
Who do you think will win in the Permatang Pauh by-election?
- Pakatan with much bigger majority (85%, 3,091 Votes)
- Pakatan with slightly bigger majority (6%, 236 Votes)
- Pakatan with about the same majority (3%, 122 Votes)
- Pakatan with slightly smaller majority (2%, 73 Votes)
- BN (1%, 36 Votes)
- Pakatan with vastly reduced majority (1%, 30 Votes)
- 50:50 (1%, 24 Votes)
- I don't care (1%, 21 Votes)
- Not sure (0%, 13 Votes)
Total Voters: 3,645
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Quite likely, the coming over is more for their self interest and preservation than the people’s interest.
They had so much time to do and speak up on what was wrong under Mahathir’s despotic rule but failed miserably. What can they offer now? I would worry about the original good people in PKR who supported Anwar and Azizah and the principles PKR stand for, and who are side-lined if not short-changed, because of short-term expediency in reaping the positive publicity of such cross-overs.
It appears TYK was quite senior in MCA. And what’s the big deal about her being President of Klang Municipal Council for 3 terms? Are we saying, we are so bereft of talents that only people with track record should continuing clinging on to office and posts they have become accustomed to? Doesn’t that kind of self preservation logic reminds one of UMNOPutras?
In my personal view, most crossing over now have only self preservation and interest foremost in their mind. I suppose I can’t blame them as politicians are basically poitical opportunists. A low life, unless proven otherwise.
Top positions reqires leadership and other attributes. If there is none, high positions for them are not in the interest nor for the good of the majority.
But they can redeem themselves however, if they can work from the bottom up and demonstrate how honst and able they are. They will be most welcomed back as a prodigal son or daughter; not just by PKR people but the general populace as well.
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There is no question of TYK being a political opportunist.
She had tried numerous times to be useful to MCA but she was sidelined by the present top leaders of MCA. Can you still blame her ? These leaders tried many ways and using Klang local leaders to remove her just because she was not from the right camp.There is no appreciation for her efforts simply because she did not hold the same thoughts as the President’s man.
Anyway, if she felt she can serve her remaining years in politics to be able to serve the public in other capacities in a different political party , why not ?
As to whether she would be appointed Klang Municipal Council President , no one knows as yet. If ever she is appointed this may be for the good of the people of Klang.
We would not like to see the excesses of former BN ADUN’s imposing their political might on the Council’s work, would you ? People had forgotten about the kingly castle built on low cost land in Klang thus depriving poor people of the opportunity to own low cost housing.
We should give her a chance to prove herself, after all TYK had been the Klang MP and therefore knows the area well. Furthermore, if TYK has the credentials to get the Klang Council to be the best Town council in Malaysia.
Talking of ” kataks “, I should say that I have seen more kataks in BN component parties. Some have done well while others have not.
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