ARE THERE INDICATORS FOR THE "THEN, NOW & FOREVER" (UMNO/BN) TO CONTINUE RULING MALAYSIA?

For all Muslims around the globe, the arrival of Shawwal (the 10th month of the lunar Islamic calendar) which also marks the end of Ramadan, is most awaited for.

Having concluded a month of "thirst & hunger" (obligatory fasting) i.e abstaining "completely" from foods, drinks, smoking, including intimate intercourse before the break of the dawn till sunset in the entire month of Ramadan, restraining other forms of human lusts - Muslims shall, in the morning of Shawwal (first day of the month of Shawwal, the day of Eid) put on clean or new clothes (or the best available), apply perfume, perform the Eid al-Fitr salat (Islamic prayer), pay a visit to the graves of deceased close family members, enjoy delicious/savory dishes, but most importantly, the exchange of forgiveness within the family, starting with the elderly in the family circle.

Having done at home, Muslims are encouraged to exchange visits and seeking forgiveness among relatives and friends in a cheerful mood and environment of Eid Mubarak (Blessed Eid or "Happy Eid") celebration.

With "clean/pure" and sincere soul, especially after completing fasting worship in the entire month of Ramadan, by itself - makes the seeking and offering of forgiveness more meaningful compared to any time in any calendar month. 

In Malaysia, "Rumah Terbuka" (Open House) is already a kind of culture not only realized by the Muslims, but devotees/followers of other faiths/religions - year in, year out.

Thus, Shawwal could be most conducive time for the bickering/squabbling Muslims (including those in People's Justice Party, PKR)  LINK  to set aside their differences, bury hatred, vengeance, animosity and anger in exchange of rehabilitation of deteriorated relations and to foster it to a new level far better than before.

If the spirit of Shawwal cannot restore their relationship, I do not know what will.

Could Umno/BN Continue It's Dominance In Malaysian Politics And Sustain It's Firm "Grip" of Putrajaya?

1- Yes, when component parties of the alliance pact (PR) failed to reach a consensus on major issue(s).  Here's one example, PAS president says Khalid should remain Selangor MB

2- Yes, when top leadership of party(ies) within PR succumbed to factionalism/divisions. When personal rivalries and conflicting ambitions within party leaders of PR are overlooked thus, paving way for conflictual style of competition, causing inessential frequent interruptions, alliance being forged between factions big and small, "endorsed candidates" being selected to the exclusion of others not in their camp, when members are "forced" by new political culture of taking sides and when "personalism" of "One Man" politics has no period.

3- Yes, when inter-party power relations, inter-party division and conflict continue to deteriorate or considered inconsequential.

When a friend responded to my comment in a tweet I was tagged on twitter, I feel compelled to connect to this article though I have written that I'm done with them.

My friend wrote,"I agree! Kadir sensible than d rest" Twitter
Among other things Kadir wrote on his blog, 

1. If Dr Wan Azizah (DS Anwar's wife) is eventually made MB (chief minister), she will create history and
2. Will put the People Justice Party (PKR) ahead of other political parties in giving a higher level of recognition to the growing importance of women in the Malaysian politics.
3. It will even put the PKR ahead of it's Pakatan Rakyat (PR) partners in recognising the role of women. 
4. That, this will have the effect of further endearing the younger female voters to the party and the PR coalition. A. Kadir Jasin Blog

I beg to differ with Kadir in the following context -

1. Selangor has no urgency to such kind of history - Having a woman MB.
2.  The nomination of Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan as Speaker of the Selangor State Assembly by the DAP and the nomination of Dr Halimah Ali as a member of the Exco by PAS were made without the exclusion of any other member from their respective parties.

DS Anwar said,"To preserve the people's confidence in the Pakatan government in Selangor, PKR has decided to support Dr Azizah as Khalid's successor," report the NST online.

DS Anwar was also reported to have said, the appointment of Dr Azizah as Selangor new MB is a completion of the Kajang Move.


Now, first and foremost, Kajang Move is about making DS Anwar Ibrahim MB for Selangor, to focus on strengthening and entrenching PR's foothold and influence in Selangor as to counter Barisan Nasional (BN) and a starting point of the PR's road to Putrajaya in 14th general elections (GE14).

It's a public knowledge that the 1st objective (installing DS Anwar as MB) has failed, leaving them with 2nd objective, as mentioned above. 

If replacing incumbent Tan Sri Khalid for DS Anwar, I would agree without hesitation, as no one could doubt his ability to carry out both tasks in objective 1 & 2, taking into account his vast experience and exposure in the government when he was deputy prime minister of Malaysia.

With all the due respect to Dr Azizah, even if she could carry out objective 2 effectively, could she be better than TS Khalid in administrating the state?
Unlike the former who has experience in both fields of corporate and government, the latter is lacking in administrative exposure and experience.

 When PAS president Datuk Seri Hj Abdul Hadi Awang said he supported the stance of Selangor PAS commissioner Iskandar Abdul Samad of maintaining the status quo in Selangor, he must have valid reasons.
"I have already heard and collected all the arguments before I finally realized that the majority of PAS' grassroots members agree that Abdul Khalid be retained, on the concept of the mandate which has been fulfilling," the PAS president had said. It's only natural for those in favor of
completion of Kajang Move become critical of Hj Hadi. 

Though there could be conflicting stand within PAS, It's Dewan Ulama chief Datuk Ahmad Yakob said, Abdul Hadi's statement was based on the agreement reached regarding the Kajang by-election in March. PAS comes to Selangor MB's defence..

"Three points were agreed upon jointly, that is the choice of candidate for the by-election be left to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and that PAS helps when needed, and that the Menteri Besar (MB) issue does not arise," Ahmad said. Conflicting stand within PAS 

Suddenly I recalled what I used to remind my branch managers. 

1. Don't Assume.
2. Don't Read people's Mind.

 Don't Assume.

In PR's context, the top leadership of all three party alliances should not assume

1. That, squabbles/bickering/conflict are temporary and that it could not cause erosion of voters' support in GE14.
2. That, their "presumptions" of people's strong desire for a change would leave them with a "no-choice" option than to vote for PR in GE14.
3. That, they should have sufficient time to deal with conflicts and differences before GE14.
4. That, there would not be any exodus of party leaders and members following endless conflicts.

 Don't Read People's Mind. 
 In PR's context, reading the minds of voters and supporters would result in two situations.

1. Restlessness and anxiety
2. Confidence and complacency.

Tomorrow (Monday) is Eid al-Ftr. To all my Muslim readers, may I lay my ten fingers seeking you forgiveness should any of my articles had, in any way, offended you.

To all of you, kindly accept my humble dedication of a Malay Eid song by Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, "Sesuci Lebaran"