Look Beyond The Carrot

A 70 plus year old man who felt that this might be
his last election thought it fit to come out with his
gun blazing by lambasting the 'dacing' or the Barisan Nasional.
What goads a man who has lived through the 2nd World War
and fifty years of independence to vent his bitterness on
the Barisan Nasional?

Read his letter to Malaysiakini.

The Ant and the Grasshopper

Thanks to K K Bu for the story. It is an adaptation from RockAss.net.

Aesop's ants. Picture by Milo Winter, 1888-1956.

Will Malaysians vote for change?

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What has the fifty year rule by the coalition government done to the people? It has robbed them of their will to change. It has enslaved them to such extent that they have been cowed into silent acceptance of the Barisan Nasional as the most viable option. If you vote against us, no development for you. The carrot and stick strategy has been so effective that people fear to vote against the Barisan Nasional. The media have been put to such effective use that people have become completely anaesthesized. The ashes of the May 13 incident have not been allowed to settle; they have been raked up time and again to remind the Chinese and Indians of the consequences of voting 'irresponsibly'. The Malays are not spared either: vote for the opposition and you will sign away your privileges and the special position accorded to Islam.

Many have become irresolute, anxious, and even afraid to vote for change. While there have been claims that the wind of change is here, many are still unconvinced that the opposition parties can provide a viable alternative. Some argued that it does not matter as long as the Barisan Nasional is denied its majority. What is crucial is that it is time for a change.

Reality check #1: the Barisan Nasional will form the next government.

Reality check #2: the non-Malays have yet to trust PAS despite its efforts to present a more moderate front.

Reality check #3: the PKR is such a disparate party it is doubtful that it could grab more seats than it already has.

Reality check #4: the DAP has always believed that there should be an effective opposition and it is going to be just that.

Reality check # 5: Young voters disillusioned with politics and politicians have become politically apathetic or indecisive.

One could feel a palpable sense of anxiety, even fear for this coming general election. I would not be surprised if a sizable number decided to abstain from voting.

Samy and 'Her Husband'

It is strange that the MIC (the Malaysian Indian Congress) President, Samy Vellu should use the analogy of the husband and wife to describe the relationship between the Indian community and the MIC . The husband (the Indian community) should not ask the the wife (the MIC) what she has been doing since she has done all she is supposed to do. The Minister should listen to his wife more and he would have realized that she talks more than he does. Research has shown that women talk three times as much as men.

It is precisely that the wife (Samy) has communicated little to the husband (the Indian community) that the husband in one spontaneous outburst (the Hindraf rally) announced to the world that the hitherto 'dutiful' wife has been neglecting her 'marital' duties.

Now the wife has put on her best sari to court, to persuade, to cajole and even to threaten if she doesn't get her way.

Sounds confusing isn't it?

The Grand Sea View Restaurant

For a town of 200,000 inhabitants, Batu Pahat can boast of a restaurant that can seat 2000 guests: the Grand Sea View Restaurant. Its closest rival, the Batu Pahat Ocean Restaurant could not match its size and grandeur. Last Friday I attended the Tong Fang's 28th Annual General Meeting cum Chinese New Year dinner there.

The Tong Fang, literally meaning 'the East room', comprising 600 members, is actually a sub-clan of the Nam Wah people, a clan from the Hokkien province in China. My host even told me that the clan is in the process of tracing the genealogical tree of each member. Such is their emotional attachment that many members have made it a point to visit their ancestors' homes once a year.

The dinner was 'unexpectedly' graced by two candidates for the coming general election, Koh Chee Chai, the state assembly candidate for Penggaram and Dato Ariss Bin Samsudin, the state assembly candidate for Semerah and their entourage. Koh Chee Chai spoke, but I think the guests were more interested in their food and drink.

The restaurant

Side view

One of the entrances

The lobby. The partitions are electrically operated to slide back to extend the banquet hall end to end.

The banquet hall

'Dishes' made from plaster of paris

A close-up-shot

The first dish

Chicken herbal soup

Braised pork leg and steamed buns

Fried buttered prawns

Steamed red snapper in tomyam sauce

Barisan Nasional campaign workers

More campaign workers

The state assembly candidate, Koh Chee Chai giving a speech

Michael with the God of Prosperity

He insisted on taking a picture with the waitress

John gave specific instructions to have his photo taken

Friends receiving an 'ang pow' of a lottery ticket each

Snippets on the General Election 2

More goodies from Barisan Nasional. They are being dispensed thick and fast. Will the voters' resolve cave in under this onslaught?

Source: the star online

On another matter, there seems to be glaringly fewer posters, banners and other publicity stuff this election in my town. Only a few places are decked out. Are the contesting parties saving them up for the last few days of their campaigns? What is obvious though are the impressive gears that the Barisan Nasional campaign workers are provided with at considerable expense.

The campaign gear