Tag: Dr. Mahathir

To Continue the Fight or Put Nation’s Interest Above All Else?

I was driving home from our escapades to the countryside farm together with my better half’s school mates. Their group of probably around 10 close-knit friends since they were teenagers. The almost always have two gatherings a year, one during Hari Raya and another to spend the night somewhere talking about the good old days. Although they are friends of my better half, they have been so nice to me that they have included me in their group to talk about stuff. Throughout the years, it now felt like I was there in the same school with them back in the 90’s.

Among the group, we have one guy whom I actually have little respect back in the day (him as a politician) but now have enormous respect. As a friend, he’s the best you want to have around. Funny as hell, love to feed his friends with great food, love to gossip about old friends, always there if you need help, and never stingy when it comes to money. A great guy all around. Currently he’s a staunch supporter and is a personal aide of one of the President of a party in PH.

That Sunday morning was a power breakfast morning. We exchanged stories about the going on in PH. Stories from a few months ago, stories of what happened during the eventful PH Presidents Council Meeting where everybody came out agreeing that it’s up to Dr. Mahathir to decide when to step down as PM. The meeting was said to be a very very hot meeting. It was hot because of the pressure within PKR for Dr. Mahathir to step down and Bersatu being defensive about it. Stories from PH President Council meeting where Dr. Mahathir did not attend and they decided to have Anwar as PM. Stories when Dr. M again became PH choice of PM. Stories of how Muhyiddin and co orchestrated the play between PH parties. Fascinating stuff indeed. We all agreed that, if it’s not because of Bersatu and PKR camp just can’t seem to agree when Dr. M should step down, all of these could’ve been avoided, among other things lah.

My friend agreed that both sides were not of their right mind. The other parties in the coalition realised it as well. But politicians being politicians, they will still fight about it. True indeed, that I agree with him. They won’t be politicians if they aren’t fighting for power.

We can’t deny that there is still bad blood between Dr. Mahathir and Anwar camps dated since 1998, much more between the two gentlemen themselves. I personally am happy to see them reconcile their differences and can only hope they will really let bygones be bygones. But one can only hope. Deep down, both my friend and I agreed that there will forever be bad blood between them.

So where do I stand? he asked. I told him, I’m torn. On one had I feel PH needs to fight one last time when Parliament reconvened. PH have fought too hard to back down now. There are still a lot of things to be done and reforms made. Get enough numbers and motion for parliament to decide the next PM based on numbers of MP supporting the current PM. This is the easier way for PH to be the government again. PH already have 92, add Dr Mahathir, Warisan+Upko and lost Bersatu lot (Saddiq, Maszlee and etc), that’s 108. Just another 4-5 seats to close the deal. It’s the easiest way to win without a doubt.

If PH goes for snap election, PH would lose in a big way. I told him, the typical Malay folks would vote for PN in a heartbeat. Why? For Abata lah. That will be the raison d’etre for the typical Malays. Even now these Malay folks are jumping with joy since the two biggest Malay-based party joined ranks. Do you think by simply branding them “pengkhianat” will win them support? The typical Rakyat don’t see the party hoppers betraying their wish, they see it as the Malays coming together. They see two biggest Malay based parties who have been at war with each other for a long, long time, working together again for a better Malaysia. The typical Rakyat don’t see them betraying the people’s mandate because the mandate has always been for a better Malaysia and Islam. This may not necessarily how I see it, but it’s definitely how a typical Malay is seeing it. So yeah, if PH goes for snap election, PH would lose in a big way.

My barometer is simple, let’s look at some hard data, and some soft data. Hard data would be the results recent by elections. Let’s just take 2019 onwards. There has been 6 by-elections from 2019 onward. Four Parliament seats and two state seats. Of these six, PH lost five of them. Two of the lost seats were actually PH seats. These hard uncontestable data shows that PH is on a losing streak. PH were the government of the day. Promised millions of development projects for the constituencies and yet PH still lost 5 of these seats. People hate PH that much.

Tanjung Piai by election.

Soft data is easier. Look at social media timelines and WhatsApp group chatter. There are way too many talks of people hating PH and whatever it is that PH do. This is way different that the euphoria of 2018 where there were so many praise coming through the timelines. Remember Tabung Harapan? People actually give politicians money. Yeah, now you see it right? I will not get into the why because that’s for PH to find out and fix. They can read my previous posting if they need some pointers where to start looking.

So, to me, if PH wants to get the PM position and cabinet back, the best way to go is to get a vote of no confidence going in Parliament.

That’s on one hand. But I’m torn, remember?

On the other hand, this will put the country back into a state of disarray. We will then have another round of drama, u-turn, back stabbing and frog-hopping. More money and promises will be dished out and more under the table dealings will be dealt. This is so that they can secure the number of seats required. And it’s all to get that PM and cabinet power in their hands. This will happen in both camps.

The stock markets and economy will once again plunge into the abyss. Oil prices have already hit rock bottom with the largest one-day percentage decline since 1991. Ours is an oil-based economy, where some 30% of government revenue are oil related. A 25% reduction in oil prices means government may not have a huge chunk of that 30% revenue anymore. Coupled with our declining export in Palm Oil, which saw a 42% decline in palm oil shipment export values over the last five years, and of course the impact of Covid-19 across the world economy. We are in no position to be have our politicians fighting each other and forgetting about the nation and the impending multitude of issues.

Being different is beautiful.

We also have lots of local problems, we still have race relation issues to fix. There has been way too many Malay vs Chinese, India vs Malay, Semenanjung vs Sabah/Sarawak, Islam vs Non-muslims situations. Even within Islam, Sunni vs Syiah, Wahabbi vs whatever that is not Wahabbi and so many other. I don’t have to link them. I would hate myself for linking them.

Is another power struggle the answer? That is why I’m torn. That was why I stated in my last posting that these leaders need to put away their differences and find a workable solution. I meant Unity government. Work together to solve immediate problems. It’s not that hard.

Should we have another power tussle? Is this the best for the country at the moment?

Thank god I’m not a politician. I don’t have to burden myself with these decisions. However, we can’t really trust the politicians to make decisions that will put the country first and foremost right? They always put themselves first right? Quite a conundrum we are in.

I’ll leave you guys there. Think hard and then tell your representative what you think they should do. Think really hard.

A friend once told me, “Politik ni kena tamak dan gamak” (In politics, we must be greedy and have what it takes to do something that might be bad). Another good friend (which I really need to connect back with) told me this saying from China “If you wait by the river long enough, you will see the body of your enemies come floating down”.

Peace be unto all.

The Promise is Fulfilled. Dr M Resigned and Gave Way for Anwar to be the next PM. Or has he?

Several friends asked why hasn’t I written anything on Pakatan Nasional (now known as Perikatan Nasional as what has been mentioned by LGE in DAP press conference). I have actually written a long one but decided not to publish it. Why? because I felt that people aren’t ready, and also perhaps partly because I felt I’m not ready. But after what has happened yesterday, I felt I may want to get it out there as a sign of support to Dr. Mahathir. What was the point of the article? Well, the gist of it is that I myself am not really a fan of all-powerful-all-Malay coalition.

I’ve, all my life, lived in a home where I have a Chinese family home next to us, and in front of my home I have another Chinese home. Not even five doors away I’d have an Indian family living and somewhere along my street, I’d have a Singh, Mamak, Malays families. I’m fortunate enough that, when I bought my first and only home more than a decade ago, I know beforehand, that the unit will have a Chinese owner next to it. The salesman said people usually wants to know that detail. Damn right we want to know, because we want to live in a multi-racial neighbourhood. I told my wife that let’s get this unit, it will be perfect for our kids.

Even in my career, I’m blessed to have great non-Malay bosses, superiors and colleague. One non-malay lady was such a great person that I decided to call her Mummy. Till today, I still address her as Mum or Mummy. I’ve been blessed to have both Malays and and Non-malays helping me to be better as a person in my life. So to have one all-powerful-all-malay political entity is not something I want to be looking forward, much less be a part of. I’d like to have an all-powerful-multiracial political entity that cares for the all Rakyat in fairness.

If you don’t love the fact that we are all different people. There must be something wrong with you.

Now that the question of Perikatan Nasional is out of the way, let’s move on to the big elephant in the room.

We have a slew of big-ass news yesterday. First, the good Doctor have resigned as the Prime Minister. He apparently has also resigned as the Chairman of Bersatu. Then we have Bersatu leaving Pakatan Harapan but still supporting Dr. Mahathir as PM. Add to the mix, Azmin, Zuraida and some PKR leaders were kicked out of PKR. A total of 11 PKR Mps is now an independent bloc not affiliated with PH. And by the end of the day yesterday, we have the King declared that he accepted Mahathir’s resignation and that he also wanted Dr. Mahathir to be the interim PM while we all figure out who will be the next PM.

So let us break this down.

  • Bersatu left PH together with 26 MPs
  • Azmin, Zuraida and 9 other MPs left PH
  • PH reduced to 92 seats (minus 26 Bersatu and 11 Azmin bloc)
  • Perikatan Nasional or Opposition is the same with 83 seats
  • Independent bloc have 47 seats (26 Bersatu, 9 Warisan, 1 Upko and 11 Azmin)
  • Important to note that DAP, Amanah, Bersatu, Warisan, Upko and Azmin still supports Dr. Mahathir as PM.
  • Dr. Mahathir Resigns as PM
  • King wanted Dr. Mahathir to be interim PM
  • DAP, Amanah, Bersatu, Warisan, Upko and Azmin still wants Dr. Mahathir to be the PM even after he resigned.

The big thing that wasn’t discussed or mentioned a lot yesterday is the fact that Dr. Mahathir has fulfilled his promise to let go of his position as the Perdana Menteri Sementara under Pakatan Harapan Manifesto. He has done his part. Through and through. He clearly resigned and king accepted. He has fulfilled his promise as a Prime-Minister-in-waiting under Pakatan Harapan Manifesto.

Anwar Ibrahim can, today, go to the King and said that he has enough support from 112 MPs or more for him to become PM. Nobody is stopping him to do this.

Yesterday that Anwar stated “I am satisfied with his stance that we must give priority to the continuation of the reform agenda”. Anwar didn’t mention that he will go to the King to seek and discuss his succession and 112 MPs supporting him

As for DAP, they have clearly stated that they will continue to support Tun M as the PM. Amanah also did the same. Mat Sabu still wants Dr. M to continue to be the PM even after the resignation.

Mohamad Sabu. I like him. No, I really like him. I do. No, I actually do like him!

So, in one fell swoop, the good Doctor have TOLD OFF, all of those PKR and DAP, Umno and whoever else that have questioned his willingness to resign and let Anwar be the PM. He did resign and fulfilled his promise. It’s a masterclass stroke

We have seen before so many people asking for Mahathir’s transition date. Be it from PKR, DAP, Umno, PAS. So many lah. So now, all of you lot have your answers. Dr. Mahathir have resigned and fulfilled his promised under Pakatan Harapan to be the Prime Minister in waiting. Oh and Lim Kit Siang can still be in politics since Dr. Mahathir did quit and give way to Anwar. It’s just that Anwar didn’t have the balls (or seats) to go and see the King about it.

So what happens next? Assuming Dr. Mahathir still have the support of Bersatu, Amanah, DAP, Azmin and Pas. And since the Sheraton-gate, probably Perikatan Nasional supports Dr. Mahathir as well.

This effectively means Dr. Mahathir can be the PM again. This time it won’t be under the mandate of Pakatan Rakyat PM in waiting. This time he can be the PM based on a new mandate from Bersatu, Amanah, DAP, Warisan, Perikatan and whoever else that supports him. This time he can be a more effective PM because he wont’ be asked to resign or pass the baton to Anwar or anyone else anymore. He is then free to govern however he sees fit. Which is what I personally wants.

I’m so blessed to have seen this happen in my lifetime. He is the good Doctor indeed.

Peace be unto all.

Iqra’ – Any Fool Can Know. The Point Is To Understand

Had this sudden impulse to write again. Just like exercising, it’s so hard to start but once you got it going, it felt so good and you would want to do it again. Also, reading and writing is actually exercise, for the mind. Our very own Dr. Mahathir said it. It’s the very reason I started this blog.

Earlier today I read an article on PPSMI, our good Doctor is on it again.

Screenshot 2019-04-08 at 21.13.01.png

Huzzah! PPSMI is back. I was disappointed when it was withdrawn and now that it’s back perhaps my kids can savour Math and Science in English.

In the article the good Doctor made another interesting comment.

Mahathir was asked in the interview what he would have done if he were the education minister, a post he stepped back from due to Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto pledge barring the prime minister from holding other portfolios.

“We need to teach science and mathematics in English. The idea that the Malays cannot learn in English is stupid. It’s not true at all.

“I am a Malay, I can speak reasonable English. Why can’t other people?” he said.

Here’s a guy from a kampung and yet he is able to speak English so well. Add to that, my English isn’t that good but I can tell you that being able to read and speak reasonable English, have enabled me to learn from so many sources and earned me interview spots and great jobs. And I am from Kedah, among the poorest state in Malaysia. So I believe in PPSMI and really am glad it’s back.

Our good Doctor made another a MORE interesting comment.

Mahathir, who served as education minister from 1974 to 1977, also told NST that while schools should provide religious and moral education, it should not be at the expense of other subjects.

“With regard to religious education, we believe schools should provide religious education, but it should not encroach on the teaching of other subjects.

“We find that in the curriculum, so much (time) is given to religious education at the expense of other subjects – science and mathematics,” he said.

Now, let me give a little bit of a preamble, I’m a product of our national school. I believe I did okay up till now, so in that sense, I trusted our school system and decided that it’s okay to send our kids to national school. We were planning to send our kids to a private school but in the end, decided against it (my wallet was so relieved, I was told). So yeah, I trusted our school system. That is till I read the above comment by Dr. Mahathir.

I quickly called my daughter Alia, Primary 6 now, and asked her to read to me her weekly class schedule and total up the hours per week spent on each subject. Here’s the breakdown in hours:

Screenshot 2019-04-08 at 21.30.59.png

Pendidikan Islam, Tasmik and Bahasa Arab altogether take 5.5 hours a week. Let’s break it down. Pendidikan Islam 3 hours, Bahasa Arab 1.5 hours and Tasmik 1 hour. I did a bit of google and found out that Tasmik is basically reciting Al-Quran. And yeah, I was clueless what Tasmik was before this.  Here’s the objective of Tasmik as taken from the link I found above.

  • 3.1 Murid dapat membaca al Quran dengan bertajwid.
  • 3.2 Murid dapat mengkhatamkan bacaan al-Quran 30 juzuk.

It’s just that, able to recite (not read) the Quran. Recite the Quran and that’s it. 1 hour a week. Half the time allocated to learn Science.

Then, we have another 1.5 hours for Bahasa Arab, officially it’s allocated for Bahasa Tambahan but somehow my daughter’s school only have Bahasa Arab to choose from. What did she get from Bahasa Arab? You guys can probably guessed it, almost nothing. If any of you guys have a kid in primary school, talk to them, find out what have they learned and how that will help in shaping their future. Combine Bahasa Arab and Tasmik and it’s 2.5 hours. More than Science, more than Sejarah and just half an hour short to equal Math. Personally, it’s way too much time allocated for those two things.

We also send our kids for Quran recital class outside of school and that’s another 1-2 hours weekly. I know many parents send their kids to Kelas Agama outside of school for several hours a week. It’s our responsibility as parents. If we can’t or are not capable to do it, get someone to help us teach them that outside of school. It’s not the school’s responsibility. It’s ours.

It should not take the time in school, that is much better spent to learn Math, Science, Accounting, Commerce and many other subjects, a typical parent can’t teach. A typical parent can’t for the life of them teach their son complex math or science stuff. That’s why there are schools, trained teachers and a fully developed curriculum. So let’s not let these subject time taken by things that we can teach them ourselves and should not even be in school official hours.

Finally, since we are on the subject of reciting the Quran, I implore all muslim parents out there, go a step further. Don’t stop at teaching our kids to recite the Quran, go on a step further and teach them to READ the Quran. READ and UNDERSTAND it. Read it in a language that you and the kids can understand. Be it in Malay or in English. It’s so much more meaningful to READ and UNDERSTAND it.

And for us, read it like you would read a book. Read it to understand it. Learn it, study it and make sense of it.  Not just recite and sing it along and not understanding a word of it.

Quran has been forgotten by many muslims. It has been relegated to a book we singalong with. Open it up weekly, singalong the notes and later close it. That’s all it has become nowadays. It’s so true. Think about it. When was the last time we read a surah and understand it? How often we open it up and search for something to guide us? When was the last time we open it up and learn about a topic that is of interest to us? What does the Quran say about that topic?

We read the hadith in a language we understand but not the Quran? Why is that? Which one is firman Allah? Hadith or the Quran? And yet we relegate it to just a singalong book.

I leave you guys at that and end this article with the title of this article, Albert Einstein said it, “Any Fool Can Know. The Point Is To Understand”. Let’s change it up, “Any Fool Can Recite. The Point is to Understand”

Peace be unto all of you.