APABILA Majlis Tertinggi UMNO memutuskan bahawa Perhimpunan Agung UMNO dan pemilihan tertinggi parti yang dijadual pada Disember ini ditangguh kepada Mac tahun depan, ramai pemimpin dan ahli UMNO yang mengeluh.
Malah pada mulanya ramai yang berasa gelisah apabila sebelum mesyuarat MT tersebar khabar bahawa selain pemilihan MT, pemilihan di peringkat bahagian juga akan ditangguhkan.
Mereka yang bertanding di peringkat bahagian termasuklah Pemuda, Puteri dan Wanita bagaikan ‘cacing kepanasan’. Ini kerana mereka berpendapat tempoh kempen akan menjadi panjang ketika mereka sedang menghitung-hitung bahawa ia akan berakhir dalam tempoh seminggu lagi.
Tetapi ternyata kebimbangan mereka tidak berasas apabila melalui pandangan beberapa pemimpin MT termasuk Timbalan Presiden parti, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, MT memutuskan bahawa mesyuarat bahagian diadakan mengikut jadual mulai 9 Oktober ini.
‘‘Alhamdulillah, kalau tidak jenuh nak berkempen sampai bulan Mac, ‘’ kata seorang ahli Pemuda yang akan bertanding di salah sebuah bahagian di Wilayah Persekutuan.
Sementara di peringkat bahagian, calon yang akan bertanding sudah boleh menarik nafas lega tetapi mereka yang bertanding di peringkat MT pula ‘menggelupur’. Ini kerana perjalanan perjuangan bagi meraih sokongan dan undi akan menempuh masa sekurang-kurangnya enam bulan lagi. Apa yang lucunya ada di antara calon yang bertanding di peringkat MT termasuk bagi jawatan dalam Pemuda, Puteri dan Wanita sudah keliling seluruh Malaysia.
Oleh itu apabila MT mengumumkan pemilihan ditangguhkan ke tahun depan, maka ‘berpeluhlah’ calon itu. Ia disebabkan beliau harus sekali lagi mengelilingi negara untuk berjumpa dengan ahli-ahli jika tidak ‘dia akan dilupakan’ kerana tempoh pemilihan masih panjang. Penulis difahamkan, ramai pemimpin-pemimpin sudah memulakan kempen sejak tiga bulan lalu. Ini bermakna menjelang Mac depan, sudah 10 bulan mereka berkempen.
Sepanjang tempoh berkenaan sudah pasti segala-galanya sudah dikorbankan bagi meraih sokongan.
Bagaimanapun dari satu segi keputusan MT tersebut tidak harus dilihat bagaikan ‘dunia hendak kiamat’. Ini kerana di sebalik penundaan itu sudah pasti terdapat banyak hikmahnya kepada parti terutamanya dalam usaha menentukan barisan kepimpinan yang benar-benar mantap.
Seperti mana kata Ahli Parlimen Muar, Razali Ibrahim, mereka yang ingin menawarkan diri untuk bertanding perlu bersedia bekerja keras bukan sahaja bagi tempoh enam bulan kempen malah juga selepas pemilihan.
Dalam soal bertanding tersebut, mereka yang berhasrat untuk berbuat demikian haruslah berani meluahkan secara terbuka.
Mereka tidak perlu berdolak-dalih dan akan berlindung di sebalik menunggu isyarat dari akar umbi. Apa yang dinyatakan ini bukan rekaan sebaliknya sudah berlaku apabila ada beberapa pemimpin di peringkat Pemuda begitu takut untuk membuat pengisytiharan secara terbuka sama ada hendak bertanding atau tidak sesuatu jawatan di peringkat Pemuda pusat. Jika sikap tidak berani ini wujud macam mana ahli-ahli harus bergantung harapan kepada pemimpin seumpama itu.
Apa pun pemilihan UMNO kali ini bukanlah sekadar untuk memenuhi agenda meletakkan seseorang itu menjadi pemimpin di peringkat MT sahaja. Atau mencari seseorang bagi memenuhi kerusi Ketua Pemuda yang dikosongkan. Lebih daripada itu ia adalah medan bagi mencari pemimpin-pemimpin yang benar-benar berkualiti kerana seperti mana kata Razali, ‘‘UMNO bukan berada dalam keadaan selesa selepas pilihan raya umum lalu.’’
Berdasarkan hakikat itu, mana-mana pihak yang ingin bertanding seharusnya mempunyai semangat yang waja untuk terus berkempen sehingga pemilihan berlangsung.
Janganlah menganggap tempoh enam bulan itu sebagai satu penyeksaan sebaliknya jadikan ia tempoh bagi menerangkan sejelas-jelasnya kepada ahli kenapa mereka perlu diletakkan dalam barisan MT, apakah untuk berjuang demi parti atau menyambung tali hayat politiknya.
Ia memandangkan UMNO memerlukan barisan yang mampu berjuang dalam peperangan sebenar iaitu berhadapan dengan pembangkang dalam pilihan raya umum dan bukannya sekadar ‘bijak bersilat’ dalam gelanggang sendiri sahaja.
Ini kerana UMNO sudah tidak ada masa lagi untuk ‘bercerekarama’ memandangkan kedudukan parti itu yang semakin tergugat di kalangan rakyat. UMNO memerlukan barisan yang benar-benar ampuh untuk mengembalikan semula imej parti. Justeru mereka tidak boleh lagi berbalah sesama sendiri.
Harus bertindak‘‘Kalau perlu kita menyingkirkan mana- mana pemimpin yang difikirkan sudah tidak relevan, ahli-ahli UMNO harus bertindak. Ini bukan soal simpati atau tidak tetapi soal masa depan perjuangan parti. Kita tidak mahu UMNO dilihat dibarisi oleh pemimpin-pemimpin yang sebelum ini sudah terang-terang ditolak oleh rakyat,’’ kata seorang pemimpin UMNO pusat ketika dihubungi.
Justeru kata beliau penangguhan pemilihan MT adalah satu langkah yang tepat kerana ia memberi lebih banyak masa kepada ahli-ahli yang akan mengundi untuk menilai kewibawaan dan personaliti sesuatu calon itu.
Berdasarkan kepada keadaan itu juga, mesyuarat di peringkat bahagian perlu memastikan mereka membuat pencalonan yang tepat bagi jawatan-jawatan di peringkat MT. Ini kerana kalau di peringkat bahagian lagi mereka melakukan pencalonan yang salah, maka ia pasti akan berlanjutan ke peringkat pusat.
‘‘Apa yang membimbangkan kita ialah bahagian-bahagian terpengaruh dengan ‘tawaran’ tertentu sehingga akhirnya memberi pencalonan yang salah kepada pemimpin tertentu,’’ kata pemimpin itu yang turut bertanding bagi kerusi MT.
Apabila menyebut soal ‘tawaran’, hakikatnya itulah perkara yang paling dibimbangi apabila MT memutuskan untuk menangguh pemilihan. Sudah timbul kekhuatiran bahawa politik wang akan bermaharajalela dalam tempoh yang cukup panjang. Atas sebab itulah barisan kepimpinan tertinggi UMNO harus memastikan bahawa gejala itu tidak berleluasa kerana selepas pilihan raya umum UMNO bukanlah sebuah parti yang popular.
Malah parti itu semakin ditolak oleh rakyat hanya kerana persepsi bahawa ia penuh dengan amalan rasuah. Justeru jika ahli-ahli UMNO masih belum sedar terhadap ancaman yang menanti mereka sudah pasti UMNO akan ditolak secara total dalam pilihan raya umum nanti.
Justeru biarlah pertandingan atau pemilihan yang bakal dilangsungkan berjalan penuh demokrasi. Tidak ada sekat menyekat untuk bertemu ahli, amalan rasuah atau menghalang mesyuarat. Semua yang bertanding perlu diberi hak sama rata kerana kita tidak mahu dalam pertarungan itu akhirnya kita mengorbankan pemimpin yang berkualiti.
‘‘Sebab itu adalah wajar demokrasi digunakan sebaik-baiknya dalam pemilihan kali ini bagi memilih pemimpin yang benar- benar berwibawa kerana peperangan sebenar kita adalah menentang pembangkang bukan sesama sendiri,’’ kata seorang bekas Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri di Kelantan.
Apa yang perlu difahami, pihak-pihak tertentu sememangnya mahu melihat UMNO ‘berbunuh-bunuhan’ sesama sendiri. Mereka begitu yakin bahawa pemilihan parti itu acap kali membawa keuntungan kepada politik parti pembangkang. Ini kerana ahli-ahli UMNO terpengaruh dengan budaya jatuh menjatuh sesama sendiri dan bukannya melihat agenda yang dibentangkan.
‘‘Seharusnya apabila habis pemilihan kita merapatkan barisan demi kepentingan parti, mana-mana calon yang membentangkan agenda yang terbaik tetapi tewas dalam pemilihan harus dibawa bersama-sama kerana itulah semangat setiakawan sejati,’’ kata seorang tokoh veteran UMNO.
Berdasarkan apa yang dinyatakan, mana-mana pihak di dalam UMNO tidak perlu lagi gundah gulana mengenai penangguhan pemilihan MT. Sebaliknya mereka perlu menyusun strategi dan mengkaji siapakah yang harus diketengahkan. UMNO bukan sahaja memerlukan pemimpin yang berwibawa tetapi juga pemimpin yang berani untuk menyatakan kebenaran biarpun ia pahit.
Parti itu tidak boleh selama-lamanya dibarisi oleh mereka yang hanya berjuang demi kepentingan politiknya. UMNO memerlukan barisan yang bakal menembus kembali maruah politik Melayu yang semakin tergugat. UMNO tidak boleh membiarkan orang lain menguasai orang Melayu, sebaliknya UMNOlah yang harus berada di barisan hadapan demi memperjuangkan nasib bangsa.
UMNO tidak harus terlalu menjadi kelompok yang cepat memohon maaf sedangkan pihak lain acap kali mendesak orang Melayu mengorbankan kepentingan mereka kononnya atas alasan keadilan dan kesamarataan.
Justeru UMNO perlu menyiapkan barisan yang benar-benar mantap untuk memastikan dalam pilihan raya umum akan datang ia tidak hanya menjadi sejarah. Rakyat sedang memerhati perkembangan dalam UMNO dengan dekat, mereka sedang menilai, mengkaji dan menghalusi tindak tanduk parti induk Melayu tersebut.
Jika penangguhan pemilihan dianggap satu masalah besar sedangkan ada agenda yang lebih utama perlu diberi perhatian, percayalah UMNO akan terus ditolak oleh rakyat. Kepada ahli-ahli UMNO yang akan membuat pencalonan di peringkat bahagian, mereka perlu ingat tanggungjawab kepada bangsa, agama dan negara. Jangan terpengaruh dengan pemimpin yang retorik atau mengamalkan rasuah kerana kesudahannya yang akan rugi ialah orang Melayu.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Gerakan mulls quitting Barisan, may join Pakatan
Gerakan is considering the option of leaving Barisan Nasional and joining the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance.
Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said this was among three options for the party - the other two being to either stay with the ruling coalition, or leave and become independent.
“We are not ruling out any possibility at this moment. We have to assess the situation, but we are not closing any doors.
“Neither are we saying we will definitely leave. It’s something we need to assess but we cannot do it based on sentiments alone,” he told reporters after launching the KL-Federal Territory (FT) state delegates conference here on Sunday.
Dr Koh said the party was examining how the political scenario in the country would continue to change, and had been getting feedback from the grassroots.
“If you go on sentiments alone, I would say more than 60% (want us to leave), but we are taking a lot of factors into consideration, and a decision cannot be based just on sentiments.
“It’s a very trying time, and there is need for a lot of rational, objective analysis. It cannot be a straightforward simplistic decision,” he said.
In his opening speech, Dr Koh also announced that he would be contesting for the president’s post in the October party elections.
“I am offering myself for the post, but I also set a timeframe for myself, and it is unlikely that I will go beyond two terms. I would like to have younger and newer leaders to continue the process of political commitment,” he said.
Asked if he would name his deputy, he replied: “We will let the delegates decide.”
He was also asked to comment on some 20 FT Gerakan members who had defected to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), including former FT Gerakan information bureau chief Gan Kok Keng and former Setiawangsa Gerakan chief Li Tiam Chai.
“I feel surprised because it was only last week when Li Tiam Chai was with me in a meeting and there were no signs that he was not happy.
“We were talking about how to strengthen the party. So I am surprised but I will continue with the veterans, and new members are committed,” he said.
Dr Koh also commented on the Umno leadership transition, which he hoped would be “smooth and peaceful.”
“Even though the change in Umno leadership is an internal party matter, but we are also concerned because the Umno leader also becomes the leader of Barisan and the Federal Government,” he said.
Earlier this month, Gerakan became embroiled in the controversy over former Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s alleged racist remarks in which he purportedly described Malaysian Chinese as “squatters.”
Gerakan leaders had demanded an apology and for action to be taken against the Umno man, who in turn blamed Gerakan for Barisan’s poor showing in the March 8 general election, which saw the state of Penang fall to to the opposition.
The war of words even saw Ahmad’s supporters tearing down a picture of Dr Koh after a press conference.
The Umno Supreme Council subsequently suspended Ahmad from his party posts for three years, although he remains a member. No further action was taken against him.
The Star : Sunday September 28, 2008 MYT 5:44:38 PM
Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said this was among three options for the party - the other two being to either stay with the ruling coalition, or leave and become independent.
“We are not ruling out any possibility at this moment. We have to assess the situation, but we are not closing any doors.
“Neither are we saying we will definitely leave. It’s something we need to assess but we cannot do it based on sentiments alone,” he told reporters after launching the KL-Federal Territory (FT) state delegates conference here on Sunday.
Dr Koh said the party was examining how the political scenario in the country would continue to change, and had been getting feedback from the grassroots.
“If you go on sentiments alone, I would say more than 60% (want us to leave), but we are taking a lot of factors into consideration, and a decision cannot be based just on sentiments.
“It’s a very trying time, and there is need for a lot of rational, objective analysis. It cannot be a straightforward simplistic decision,” he said.
In his opening speech, Dr Koh also announced that he would be contesting for the president’s post in the October party elections.
“I am offering myself for the post, but I also set a timeframe for myself, and it is unlikely that I will go beyond two terms. I would like to have younger and newer leaders to continue the process of political commitment,” he said.
Asked if he would name his deputy, he replied: “We will let the delegates decide.”
He was also asked to comment on some 20 FT Gerakan members who had defected to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), including former FT Gerakan information bureau chief Gan Kok Keng and former Setiawangsa Gerakan chief Li Tiam Chai.
“I feel surprised because it was only last week when Li Tiam Chai was with me in a meeting and there were no signs that he was not happy.
“We were talking about how to strengthen the party. So I am surprised but I will continue with the veterans, and new members are committed,” he said.
Dr Koh also commented on the Umno leadership transition, which he hoped would be “smooth and peaceful.”
“Even though the change in Umno leadership is an internal party matter, but we are also concerned because the Umno leader also becomes the leader of Barisan and the Federal Government,” he said.
Earlier this month, Gerakan became embroiled in the controversy over former Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s alleged racist remarks in which he purportedly described Malaysian Chinese as “squatters.”
Gerakan leaders had demanded an apology and for action to be taken against the Umno man, who in turn blamed Gerakan for Barisan’s poor showing in the March 8 general election, which saw the state of Penang fall to to the opposition.
The war of words even saw Ahmad’s supporters tearing down a picture of Dr Koh after a press conference.
The Umno Supreme Council subsequently suspended Ahmad from his party posts for three years, although he remains a member. No further action was taken against him.
The Star : Sunday September 28, 2008 MYT 5:44:38 PM
FT Gerakan members defect to PKR
More than 20 Federal Territory Gerakan members have defected to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) with “more expected in the coming weeks.”
Former Federal Territory Gerakan information bureau chief Gan Kok Keng said there would be at least 300 members from four divisions joining the opposition party soon.
The divisions involved are the Setiawangsa, Wangsa Maju, Bukit Bintang and Kepong divisions.
Gan, who had been with Gerakan for 24 years, said their desire to leave Gerakan stemmed from the inability of the party to play a meaningful role in Barisan Nasional.
“We have no decision-making powers and have been ignored and insulted many times,” he said.
Gan said what bothered him the most was the belief that the comments of former Bukit Bendera Umno chief Ahmad Ismail was not his own personal opinion but those of the party.
“Gerakan should not be appealing for action to be taken in any scenario but should be asking firmly instead,” he said at a press conference at the PKR headquarters here Sunday.
Also leaving Gerakan for PKR is their former Federal Territories Youth chief Tan Kang Ho, Federal Territories Economic Bureau chief Julian Leong, and Wangsa Maju secretary Azali Omar.
PKR vice-president and Subang Member of Parliament R. Sivarasa said the move by the Gerakan members to join PKR was something that was not easy to do.
“It is brave of them. There was also no offer of money and no discussion about positions in the party,” he said.
Earlier this month, former Segambut MP and Federal Territories Gerakan chief Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong also joined PKR.
The Star - Sunday September 28, 2008 MYT 4:05:29 PM
Former Federal Territory Gerakan information bureau chief Gan Kok Keng said there would be at least 300 members from four divisions joining the opposition party soon.
The divisions involved are the Setiawangsa, Wangsa Maju, Bukit Bintang and Kepong divisions.
Gan, who had been with Gerakan for 24 years, said their desire to leave Gerakan stemmed from the inability of the party to play a meaningful role in Barisan Nasional.
“We have no decision-making powers and have been ignored and insulted many times,” he said.
Gan said what bothered him the most was the belief that the comments of former Bukit Bendera Umno chief Ahmad Ismail was not his own personal opinion but those of the party.
“Gerakan should not be appealing for action to be taken in any scenario but should be asking firmly instead,” he said at a press conference at the PKR headquarters here Sunday.
Also leaving Gerakan for PKR is their former Federal Territories Youth chief Tan Kang Ho, Federal Territories Economic Bureau chief Julian Leong, and Wangsa Maju secretary Azali Omar.
PKR vice-president and Subang Member of Parliament R. Sivarasa said the move by the Gerakan members to join PKR was something that was not easy to do.
“It is brave of them. There was also no offer of money and no discussion about positions in the party,” he said.
Earlier this month, former Segambut MP and Federal Territories Gerakan chief Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong also joined PKR.
The Star - Sunday September 28, 2008 MYT 4:05:29 PM
Malaysian PM hints could step down earlier than planned
Malaysian premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday he may not seek re-election as ruling party leader in March polls, indicating he could quit well before a planned transition in 2010.
Abdullah spoke after an emergency meeting of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) over the plan to transfer power to his deputy Najib Razak in two years, which has caused a rift within the party.
The embattled prime minister said UMNO leadership elections scheduled for December would be postponed until March and that he would make an announcement in the next few weeks on whether he would bid for the top job.
"I have not made any decision as far as this particular point is concerned," he said. "The decision is mine, you can go on guessing. As far as I'm concerned I love the party."
Traditionally the president of UMNO -- which leads a multi-racial coalition and has dominated Malaysian politics for half a century -- becomes the prime minister.
But Abdullah admitted that several members of UMNO's Supreme Council were pushing him to quit and said the party leadership polls had been postponed "to help facilitate an early transition".
The premier -- whose popularity has plummeted over broken promises for reform and accusations of economic mismanagement -- has been in the firing line since March elections that handed the opposition unprecedented gains.
He is also fending off a bid to topple the government by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who says he has the support of enough defecting lawmakers to form a new administration.
Trade Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, one of the cabinet members pushing for a revamped leadership, indicated that the 2010 handover plan was now abandoned.
"As far as I'm concerned it's a new deadline that has been set. I sense he is showing some magnanimity," he told reporters.
Muhyiddin backed the decision to fix a new date for the UMNO polls, a move seen by observers as a face-saving way for Abdullah to avoid an embarrassing leadership challenge.
"In a way it is to bring forward the deadline," he said, calling for an end to the rift in the ruling party over the timetable for Abdullah's departure.
"It is time for us to close ranks," he said.
Rafidah Aziz, head of the UMNO women's wing, also suggested the premier would step down earlier than planned.
"We agreed with what was said, it was a comprehensive decision. It is to facilitate an earlier transition, so take it as that," she said.
Although Najib is clearly Abdullah's heir apparent, the revised plan allows the new leadership to be formally elected by the party next March. The 2010 handover deal had been criticised as undemocratic by some UMNO leaders.
"This is good for the party," Najib said.
"This follows UMNO's tradition and at the same time we have taken into account the views of party members, so I think there is a lot of wisdom in today's decision."
The Barisan Nasional coalition has floundered since the March general elections that saw the opposition gain control of five states and a third of parliamentary seats.
Muhyidding has said UMNO and the coalition face oblivion at the next general elections due in five years if they fail to undertake reforms.
Agence France-Presse - 9/26/2008 7:32 AM GMT
Abdullah spoke after an emergency meeting of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) over the plan to transfer power to his deputy Najib Razak in two years, which has caused a rift within the party.
The embattled prime minister said UMNO leadership elections scheduled for December would be postponed until March and that he would make an announcement in the next few weeks on whether he would bid for the top job.
"I have not made any decision as far as this particular point is concerned," he said. "The decision is mine, you can go on guessing. As far as I'm concerned I love the party."
Traditionally the president of UMNO -- which leads a multi-racial coalition and has dominated Malaysian politics for half a century -- becomes the prime minister.
But Abdullah admitted that several members of UMNO's Supreme Council were pushing him to quit and said the party leadership polls had been postponed "to help facilitate an early transition".
The premier -- whose popularity has plummeted over broken promises for reform and accusations of economic mismanagement -- has been in the firing line since March elections that handed the opposition unprecedented gains.
He is also fending off a bid to topple the government by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who says he has the support of enough defecting lawmakers to form a new administration.
Trade Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, one of the cabinet members pushing for a revamped leadership, indicated that the 2010 handover plan was now abandoned.
"As far as I'm concerned it's a new deadline that has been set. I sense he is showing some magnanimity," he told reporters.
Muhyiddin backed the decision to fix a new date for the UMNO polls, a move seen by observers as a face-saving way for Abdullah to avoid an embarrassing leadership challenge.
"In a way it is to bring forward the deadline," he said, calling for an end to the rift in the ruling party over the timetable for Abdullah's departure.
"It is time for us to close ranks," he said.
Rafidah Aziz, head of the UMNO women's wing, also suggested the premier would step down earlier than planned.
"We agreed with what was said, it was a comprehensive decision. It is to facilitate an earlier transition, so take it as that," she said.
Although Najib is clearly Abdullah's heir apparent, the revised plan allows the new leadership to be formally elected by the party next March. The 2010 handover deal had been criticised as undemocratic by some UMNO leaders.
"This is good for the party," Najib said.
"This follows UMNO's tradition and at the same time we have taken into account the views of party members, so I think there is a lot of wisdom in today's decision."
The Barisan Nasional coalition has floundered since the March general elections that saw the opposition gain control of five states and a third of parliamentary seats.
Muhyidding has said UMNO and the coalition face oblivion at the next general elections due in five years if they fail to undertake reforms.
Agence France-Presse - 9/26/2008 7:32 AM GMT
Malaysia's ruling party meets to discuss PM's future
Malaysia's ruling party held emergency talks Friday, amid speculation Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi could be forced to step down in 2009, a year earlier than planned.
Top leaders of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) were widely reported to be discussing a much-criticised plan for Abdullah to quit in mid-2010 in favour of his deputy Najib Razak.
Elements in the ruling party have said the transition plan is undemocratic and that Abdullah -- who has been in the firing line since March elections that handed the opposition unprecedented gains -- should depart much sooner.
The premier is also fending off a bid to topple the government by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who says he has the support of enough defecting lawmakers to form a new administration.
Newspaper reports said it was possible that UMNO leadership elections which could have seen a humiliating leadership battle would be postponed from December until June 2009, when Abdullah would step down voluntarily.
Cabinet minister Nazri Aziz admitted that some within the party wanted Abdullah to stay on until 2010 as planned, while others preferred to leave the decision to party members.
"I believe the meeting will come to some kind of compromise. I believe, to accommodate both views, we will most likely cancel the coming December party elections," he told the New Straits Times.
However, elements in the party who have been pushing for the leadership to be decided openly and democratically could oppose any postponement.
UMNO councillor Abdul Latiff Ahmad told the daily that the decision on who would helm the party must be made by ordinary members.
"We should leave it to them. Moreover, everyone has been preparing for December," he said.
Agence France-Presse - 9/26/2008 3:15 AM GMT
Top leaders of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) were widely reported to be discussing a much-criticised plan for Abdullah to quit in mid-2010 in favour of his deputy Najib Razak.
Elements in the ruling party have said the transition plan is undemocratic and that Abdullah -- who has been in the firing line since March elections that handed the opposition unprecedented gains -- should depart much sooner.
The premier is also fending off a bid to topple the government by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who says he has the support of enough defecting lawmakers to form a new administration.
Newspaper reports said it was possible that UMNO leadership elections which could have seen a humiliating leadership battle would be postponed from December until June 2009, when Abdullah would step down voluntarily.
Cabinet minister Nazri Aziz admitted that some within the party wanted Abdullah to stay on until 2010 as planned, while others preferred to leave the decision to party members.
"I believe the meeting will come to some kind of compromise. I believe, to accommodate both views, we will most likely cancel the coming December party elections," he told the New Straits Times.
However, elements in the party who have been pushing for the leadership to be decided openly and democratically could oppose any postponement.
UMNO councillor Abdul Latiff Ahmad told the daily that the decision on who would helm the party must be made by ordinary members.
"We should leave it to them. Moreover, everyone has been preparing for December," he said.
Agence France-Presse - 9/26/2008 3:15 AM GMT
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Malaysia's ruling party talks trigger speculation over PM's fate
Malaysia's ruling party is to hold high-level talks on Friday, in a hastily arranged meeting that has triggered fresh speculation on the future of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.Abdullah was reportedly hit with calls to stand down by four of his cabinet ministers at a meeting last week of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) Supreme Council.
"I believe there will be a special Supreme Council meeting tomorrow," Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak told reporters Thursday, but declined to give details of what would be discussed.
Abdullah steered the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional coalition to its worst electoral showing in half a century in March, as voters punished him over broken promises for reform, as well as spiralling prices of food and fuel.
Since then he has resisted repeated calls to quit, and has also been faced with an unprecedented challenge from the opposition, which has said it has enough support from defecting lawmakers to topple the government.
In a bid to end the damaging speculation over his future, which has suppressed foreign investment and trade on the stock market, Abdullah forged a deal to hand over to Najib in mid-2010.
But the pact has been criticised within UMNO, and Trade Minister Muhyiddin Yassin -- a potential challenger -- said this week that the party faced oblivion if it did not quickly address internal conflicts and the opposition threat.
Online news website Malaysiakini cited UMNO sources as saying that Friday's emergency meeting would likely address the power transition plan.
The site quoted UMNO information chief Muhammad Muhammad Taib as saying that all members of the supreme council -- which usually meets monthly -- were informed Thursday of the meeting.
"I am in the dark just as you. All I know is I received the phone call and was told to attend the meeting tomorrow morning," he reportedly said.
Agence France-Presse - 9/25/2008 9:00 AM GMT
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Mengukur kesetiaan Ahli Parlimen
KITA asyik diasak dengan dongeng Ahli- Ahli Parlimen Barisan Nasional (BN) akan melompat ke parti pembangkang. Dikatakan lebih 30 Ahli Parlimen akan berbuat demikian.
Kegigihan pakatan pembangkang untuk mengukuhkan dakwaan mereka amat terserlah.
Umpama orang bercinta yang sanggup mendaki gunung, menerjah lurah dan merenangi lautan untuk mengharungi cabaran percintaan, begitu juga dengan pakatan pembangkang.
Pemergian Ahli-Ahli Parlimen ke Taiwan disusuri misi khas pakatan pembangkang biar pun ada rintangan ribut yang melanda. Semuanya itu bertujuan membuktikan bahawa dakwaan lebih 30 Ahli Parlimen akan melompat menjadi kenyataan.
Terbaru dikatakan pula wakil-wakil pakatan pembangkang sedang mengatur pertemuan dengan wakil-wakil Perdana Menteri kononnya juga untuk merealisasikan cita-cita membentuk kerajaan.
Sekuat itu paluan gendang pakatan pembangkang seolah-olah cuba menenggelamkan tragedi 16 September yang berlalu begitu sahaja tanpa sebarang catatan gembira. Begitu selamba pakatan pembangkang yang begitu hebat menguar-uarkan perihal kerajaan baru itu memberi alasan mengapa impian mereka tersungkur di tengah jalan.
Timbul persoalan mengapa kesetiaan ahli-ahli Parlimen BN sahaja yang dibangkitkan? Adakah hanya orang BN sahaja yang ada keinginan serta perasaan untuk berhijrah manakala Ahli-Ahli Parlimen pembangkang pula akan setia selama-lamanya?
Apa kriteria yang digunakan oleh pakatan pembangkang untuk mengukur kesetiaan Ahli-Ahli Parlimen BN dan apa pula kayu pengukur yang digunakan untuk menguji kesetiaan penyokong-penyokong mereka.
Atau tidak bermaruah benarkah ahli-ahli Parlimen BN sehingga sanggup dan tergamak membelakangkan amanah pengundi-pengundi yang telah memilih mereka atas tiket BN.
Mungkin kita boleh menjawab persoalan pertama. Kegagalan BN mempertahankan majoriti dua pertiga dijadikan sandaran kononnya ada kalangan ahli-ahli Parlimen BN tidak mahu lagi berada di dalam parti itu. Kononnya BN tidak lagi kukuh justeru ramai ahlinya tidak mahu lagi bernaung di bawah parti yang berlambangkan dacing itu.
Sebab itu usaha membeli, mengumpan atau apa juga istilah yang boleh digunakan untuk menggambarkan kesungguhan pakatan pembangkang itu dilaksanakan.
Namun dalam kemaruk dan kegilaan untuk menubuhkan kerajaan pakatan pembangkang itu, adakah barisan pemimpinnya seratus peratus yakin akan kesetiaan Ahli-Ahli Parlimen yang bernaung di bawah gabungan parti tanpa lambang itu.
Kukuh benarkah gabungan parti pembangkang itu sehingga barisan pemimpinnya begitu yakin dapat mengikat Ahli-Ahli Parlimennya tanpa seorang pun akan berpaling tadah?
Lantas timbul persoalan kedua tadi, apa sandaran pakatan pembangkang untuk tampil penuh yakin bahawa tidak ada seorang pun Ahli Parlimennya akan lompat parti?
Walhal jika mahu dibuat ukuran, tali yang melingkari pakatan pembangkang boleh dikatakan tidak sekukuh mana, pakatan itu seolah-olah bermusim iaitu relevan sebagai senjata pilihan raya sahaja.
Selepas daripada itu, masing-masing tidur sekatil tetapi mimpi yang dialami berlainan cerita dan warna. Selepas pilihan raya tampak jelas ikatan yang terjalin antara Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), DAP dan Pas semakin longgar.
Dalam banyak hal terutama berkaitan hal ehwal bangsa dan agama, timbul pula percanggahan di kalangan Ahli-Ahli Parlimen pakatan pembangkang sehingga melarat ke sidang Dewan Rakyat.
Dan apabila pakatan pembangkang memberi sokongan kepada forum anjuran Majlis Peguam, ada Ahli Parlimennya bercanggah pendirian sehingga diberi surat tunjuk sebab.
Begitu juga dengan keengganan komponen pakatan pembangkang iaitu Pas untuk menerima kerajaan (jika angan-angan menjadi kenyataan) yang tidak berteraskan Islam.
Sememangnya jika tertubuhnya kerajaan pakatan pembangkang, tidak akan ada kerajaan berteraskan Islam kerana PKR dan DAP memperjuangkan kerajaan sekular, manakala Pas bersendirian dalam mempertahankan pendirian mereka.
Pas tetap dengan negara Islamnya - semestinya perjuangan serta agenda parti itu umpama langit dengan bumi sekali gus menyukarkan impian untuk melihat tertegaknya kerajaan pakatan pembangkang untuk menjadi kenyataan.
Justeru, apabila dibuat perbandingan tahap kesetiaan yang ada pada Ahli-Ahli Parlimen BN dengan Ahli-Ahli Parlimen pakatan pembangkang, rumusannya amat jelas dan boleh disimpulkan oleh rakyat Malaysia yang mahu menggunakan otak.
Kegigihan pakatan pembangkang untuk mengukuhkan dakwaan mereka amat terserlah.
Umpama orang bercinta yang sanggup mendaki gunung, menerjah lurah dan merenangi lautan untuk mengharungi cabaran percintaan, begitu juga dengan pakatan pembangkang.
Pemergian Ahli-Ahli Parlimen ke Taiwan disusuri misi khas pakatan pembangkang biar pun ada rintangan ribut yang melanda. Semuanya itu bertujuan membuktikan bahawa dakwaan lebih 30 Ahli Parlimen akan melompat menjadi kenyataan.
Terbaru dikatakan pula wakil-wakil pakatan pembangkang sedang mengatur pertemuan dengan wakil-wakil Perdana Menteri kononnya juga untuk merealisasikan cita-cita membentuk kerajaan.
Sekuat itu paluan gendang pakatan pembangkang seolah-olah cuba menenggelamkan tragedi 16 September yang berlalu begitu sahaja tanpa sebarang catatan gembira. Begitu selamba pakatan pembangkang yang begitu hebat menguar-uarkan perihal kerajaan baru itu memberi alasan mengapa impian mereka tersungkur di tengah jalan.
Timbul persoalan mengapa kesetiaan ahli-ahli Parlimen BN sahaja yang dibangkitkan? Adakah hanya orang BN sahaja yang ada keinginan serta perasaan untuk berhijrah manakala Ahli-Ahli Parlimen pembangkang pula akan setia selama-lamanya?
Apa kriteria yang digunakan oleh pakatan pembangkang untuk mengukur kesetiaan Ahli-Ahli Parlimen BN dan apa pula kayu pengukur yang digunakan untuk menguji kesetiaan penyokong-penyokong mereka.
Atau tidak bermaruah benarkah ahli-ahli Parlimen BN sehingga sanggup dan tergamak membelakangkan amanah pengundi-pengundi yang telah memilih mereka atas tiket BN.
Mungkin kita boleh menjawab persoalan pertama. Kegagalan BN mempertahankan majoriti dua pertiga dijadikan sandaran kononnya ada kalangan ahli-ahli Parlimen BN tidak mahu lagi berada di dalam parti itu. Kononnya BN tidak lagi kukuh justeru ramai ahlinya tidak mahu lagi bernaung di bawah parti yang berlambangkan dacing itu.
Sebab itu usaha membeli, mengumpan atau apa juga istilah yang boleh digunakan untuk menggambarkan kesungguhan pakatan pembangkang itu dilaksanakan.
Namun dalam kemaruk dan kegilaan untuk menubuhkan kerajaan pakatan pembangkang itu, adakah barisan pemimpinnya seratus peratus yakin akan kesetiaan Ahli-Ahli Parlimen yang bernaung di bawah gabungan parti tanpa lambang itu.
Kukuh benarkah gabungan parti pembangkang itu sehingga barisan pemimpinnya begitu yakin dapat mengikat Ahli-Ahli Parlimennya tanpa seorang pun akan berpaling tadah?
Lantas timbul persoalan kedua tadi, apa sandaran pakatan pembangkang untuk tampil penuh yakin bahawa tidak ada seorang pun Ahli Parlimennya akan lompat parti?
Walhal jika mahu dibuat ukuran, tali yang melingkari pakatan pembangkang boleh dikatakan tidak sekukuh mana, pakatan itu seolah-olah bermusim iaitu relevan sebagai senjata pilihan raya sahaja.
Selepas daripada itu, masing-masing tidur sekatil tetapi mimpi yang dialami berlainan cerita dan warna. Selepas pilihan raya tampak jelas ikatan yang terjalin antara Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), DAP dan Pas semakin longgar.
Dalam banyak hal terutama berkaitan hal ehwal bangsa dan agama, timbul pula percanggahan di kalangan Ahli-Ahli Parlimen pakatan pembangkang sehingga melarat ke sidang Dewan Rakyat.
Dan apabila pakatan pembangkang memberi sokongan kepada forum anjuran Majlis Peguam, ada Ahli Parlimennya bercanggah pendirian sehingga diberi surat tunjuk sebab.
Begitu juga dengan keengganan komponen pakatan pembangkang iaitu Pas untuk menerima kerajaan (jika angan-angan menjadi kenyataan) yang tidak berteraskan Islam.
Sememangnya jika tertubuhnya kerajaan pakatan pembangkang, tidak akan ada kerajaan berteraskan Islam kerana PKR dan DAP memperjuangkan kerajaan sekular, manakala Pas bersendirian dalam mempertahankan pendirian mereka.
Pas tetap dengan negara Islamnya - semestinya perjuangan serta agenda parti itu umpama langit dengan bumi sekali gus menyukarkan impian untuk melihat tertegaknya kerajaan pakatan pembangkang untuk menjadi kenyataan.
Justeru, apabila dibuat perbandingan tahap kesetiaan yang ada pada Ahli-Ahli Parlimen BN dengan Ahli-Ahli Parlimen pakatan pembangkang, rumusannya amat jelas dan boleh disimpulkan oleh rakyat Malaysia yang mahu menggunakan otak.
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