Early General Election – only option for Pak Lah?

I got a sms from DAP on Tuesday morning that there will be a DAP forum – “Early General Election – only option for Pak Lah?” in New Era College - that’s very near my place! To my surprise, DAP is not sms-ing from any normal phone number. They had computerized the sms system. I wonder when they decided to hold this forum as it was not announced on last Thursday Forum in KL & Selangor Assembly Hall.

Yesterday, before I went over to Kajang, I called one of my Primary Schoolmates who is now studying in New Era College. I do not know exactly where New Era College is. When he told me that it is near the food court in Kajang, I reply him with an “Oh~that place arr?” I’ve been to the
food court for a couple of times but I didn’t know that New Era College was just nearby!



I arrive there at 7pm, half an hour earlier. I was among the first few who reached there. Guan Eng was the first speaker who arrived. He was holding the ASLI Report – it’s a very very thick report. Teresa Kok(Seputeh MP) was there too!

Guan Eng was the first to speak. As what was expected he touched about Lee Kuan Yew’s reply letter to the PM. Besides that he also mentioned the ASLI Report. According to the report Bumiputera has gained 45% the shares in Bursa Malaysia. He added 30% of the shares are in the hands of foreigners. This means that only 25% of shares are owned by non-bumiputera. He questioned “Who is the one that is marginalized?” He also satirizes Khairy who could borrow Millions of dollars at the age of 37. At the same time, he also “kicked” Ling Liong Saik’s son butt for borrowing Billions of dollars during Mahathir’s era.



Prof. Oh is the second speaker. He is also the Chairman of last Thursday’s Forum. He gives some example of other countries where the Leader who wins the General Election not necessarily could control the political party. He uses example that has some similar political and economical climate as Malaysia – England, Canada, Australia and India. He pointed out that the English are having the same thoughts as Malaysians when it comes to Economics. The nations(England and Malaysia) are having good economic growth but the people(English and Malaysians) couldn’t felt it. He uses a phrase “The economy didn’t arrive at my doorstep”. Prof. Oh left after his speech as he need to go on air for a radio station program(Ai FM) at 10pm.

Mr. Huang Jing Fa is the next one to speak. He gave everyone a surprise as he changed the title of the forum to “General Election: where is our way out?” He pointed out nine reasons/areas that we need a way out. Coming after this is the most exciting part of his speech. He asked “Is the General Election a way out for us?” He mentioned that due to the weaknesses in our election mechanism, BN has got 92% of parliament seats though they do not get 92% of votes. In the 2004 General Election, a vote for BN is equal to 3 votes to DAP, 8 to PAS and 28 to Keadilan. A very shocking figure indeed! He also made an assumption that in the 2004 General Election, all election districts that have a 40% votes to the opposition will be won by opposition. Based on this assumption, the opposition still could not deny BN’s two third of majority in the Parliament. He requestioned “Is the General Election still a way out for us?” He said one of the reasons the opposition kept failing in the General election is that they did not focus on one state. He said that if the opposition could put a strong “line-up” for the people to vote for they stand a chance to win a state government. He added that there are a lot of things that a state government could do – introduce the Information Enactment, build new schools, restore the local government election and so on. All the while I was not aware that the State Government has so many powers. I thought only parliamentary seats count in this country! He also told Guan Eng to counter propose PAS if they want to co-operte with DAP in the coming General Election. Tell PAS to restore the local government election in Kelantan before any further negotiations.

Uncle Kit was the last speaker to deliver his speech. He said that the Anwar factor is now second fiddle to the UMNO factor for Pak Lah to bring forward the General Election. He must make use this opportunity to take control his party. He also said that when Pak Lah announced in Cuba “I’m still in control” it was actually the opposite way. If he is in control, he need not announce it while he is overseas! Uncle Kit also mentioned the 18 “sharks” promised by Pak Lah during the 2004 General Election. He said that the “sharks” are still swimming in South China Sea. Uncle kit said that the BN youth meeting on the Khairy issue is another proof of Chinese being marginalized. At the press conference, Hishammudin is the only one speaking(Khairy had runway). When the news reporters ask Liow Tiong Lai(MCA) or Ma Siew Keong(Gerakan) question, Hishammudin reply “This is my press conference, don’t ask them” Uncle Kit said, if that is Hishammudin’s press conference, what are both of them(Liow Tiong Lai and Ma Siew Keong) doing there?



This time, I didn’t record uncle kit’s speech as I know I will not have the time to edit it as school is starting soon. After that we have another “additional speaker” which I couldn’t recall his name. He said that racial politics is still the main concern in our country. He also said something that I couldn’t forget until now. He mentioned that in 1974, Hasnoh made a prophecy that real democracy could only achieved in our country after 25 years. When the Malays come out from Kampung to the City and live a difficult life, they will come out the streets and have demonstrations to demand changes. In 1998, there are a lot of Malays having demonstrations on the street(because of Anwar). At that time, they recalled what Hasnoh had said. They thought that the demonstration would continue until 1999(1974+25=1999) and something might happen. The result was disappointing.

The forum ended quite late at almost 11pm since we have an additional speaker. Before I went back, Uncle Kit told me “You took a lot of time to convert huh!” I smiled and nodded. I reached home in just 15 minutes time. I guess there will be more forums by DAP in the future as General Election is coming soon – everyone could feel the heat!

p/s : Here's uncle kit's speech and merdeka review's report on Guan Eng, Prof. Oh, and Mr Huang's speech