MALAYSIAN CHINESE: THE MOST PROGRESSIVE LOT

MCA 2008 election results, where Malaysia's high profile Chinese political party got an overhaul says plenty about the Chinese community in Malaysia. It was especially gratifying to see Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen and Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek appointed to vice-president and deputy president posts.

Friends who are close observers had loudly proclaimed that if these two candidates lost, it would have been the handiwork of the "two brothers in Mca." Obviously, the MCA members would not have any of that and the capable candidates prevailed. What the MCA 2008 election results shows is that Malaysian Chinese are progressive and firm believers in the concept of dissent and the power of criticism, from top-down. The results also point to the path that, thankfully, capability takes centre stage over personal problems.

People are not interested in posturing and moralizing -- when the reality is that in life, sometimes, things do not go according to plan in people's personal lives. What is most important is that the quality of work and high standards are maintained in one's work. A willingness to fight for the greater good is also a more important quality to have in one's politician.

Another interesting things about the MCA website where the MCA Central Committee Election Results are posted (http://www.mca.org.my/English/Commentaries/Pages/ElectionResultsofMCACentralCommitteefor2008-2011.aspx), is the fact that the results just carry names of the victors and candidates. No titles, no airs, no pretensions.

This page implies that MCA is not interested in tripping over titles. The ability to serve and do one's work well is most important.

BERNAMA TV AND ASTRO AWANI

It is quite pleasing to note that two local TV stations have taken the standard of Malaysian news reporting to excellent heights.

First and foremost is, of course, Bernama TV. This excellent TV stations has solid news anchors and an excellent palette of Malaysian news coverage that gives viewers quite an extensive view of life in Malaysia. The many faces on the Bernama TV are news veterans and it is good to see them doing well.

Next, although I am only placing it second to Bernama TV, Astro Awani can surprise viewers with exceptionally relevant and extremely current interview segments (like Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek appearing on Analisis Awani to talk about MCA and its battle to remain relevant as a political party for the Chinese Malaysiana -- this episode aired on Saturday, 9th August 2008 at 4.30pm)

The interview with Dr Chua was an eye opener as Dr Chus spoke excellent Bahasa Malaysia and spoke in a very clear and concise manner on what he feels MCA needs to do. Dr Chua is definitely a leader of high caliber in Malaysia and it is good to see capable and intelligent men like him given air time to talk about politics.

MARCH 8 GENERAL ELECTION - REDUX

I was closely watching the general elections as the results were announce late into the night of March 8. Even before the elections as I went about travelling in KLand PJ, I realised that on many of the campaign posters, the BN men were all portly and extremely well-fed looking (especially the MCA fatcats). The DAP and PKR boys meanwhile looked lean and trustworthy by comparison.

Then, on election night, as the winners and losers were announced -- those who won didn't have titles. In contrast, there were tons of Datuks and Datuk Seris and Tan Sris losing in their constituencies and it was obvious that these title-laden lads were all Barisan boys. The rakyat were obviously disgusted with the state of politics of the country where basic needs like safe roads (well lit, WITHOUT POTHOLES, well-thought out etc) and affordable living (fairly priced houses, well-built houses -- too many bastard developers were getting away with building and selling shitholes disguised as houses -- good garden areas within the house compounds, safe playgrounds for children and beautiful parks for everyone to get close to nature AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL SAFE FOOD -- low sugar content in drinks, no artificial colourings in as many food items as possible, no preservatives in veg/fruits and no hormones or chemicals in meat -- AND AFFORDABLE FOOD).

Anyway, the important thing for BN and the Opposition to know is that the rakyat do not necessarily embrace the agenda of the Opposition parties but desperately wanted to teach obnoxious keris-waving/temple-destroying types in BN that the rakyat were sick of the petty, intellectually-CHALLENGED people getting away with their little Napoleon antics.

Now, it is important for BN not to be a bitch about things and start screwing states being led by the Opposition gang. THIS WOULD SURELY WRITE THEIR FORTUNES ON WHAT THE OUTCOME OF THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION WILL BE: COMPLETE LOSS!!!!!!!!

So, be sensible, and endear yourselves to the rakyat again, BN.

The swines who try to sabotage, lets say the Tourism activities in certain states -- should be given a public lashing. Who do these politicians think they are? Everyone is being financed by the tax payers money and no one has the right to deny any district or state of anything (I am willing to make an exception for Kelantan -- because I truly distrust PAS completely!).

The era of Mahathir-God complex where areas that voted for the opposition had bad roads and no street lighting etc as punishment ARE OVER.

GET OVER YOURSELVES ALL YOU POLITICIANS -- YOU ALL ARE THE PUBLIC'S SERVANTS AND WE JUST WANT YOU TO DO YOUR WORK AND MAKE EVERY ASPECT OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY ADMIRABLE -- FROM THE WASTE MANAGEMENT TO FOOD PRODUCTION, TO RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT TO PRESERVATION OF NATURE WHERE IT IS CRUCIAL TO THE MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS TO THE SAFETY OF ROAD USERS TO THE EVERYTHING ELSE!!!!

To the Opposition, I say, you have your ticket. Win people over. Always fight everything with logic and compassion. And if you prove yourselves, the next election will be a breeze.

DATUK SERI DR CHUA SOI LEK

Finally, there is a Malaysian politician whom I can respect: Dr Chua Soi Lek. Here is a man caught on video having sex and he did the honourable thing by admitting it was him. That is a very gentlemanly thing to do. Although he did not offer an immediate resignation from his post (which was being too hopeful and silly, actually), he has left his Ministerial post in the days after the sex DVD's release.

For being such a brave and credible man, Dr Chua Soi Lek gets my vote the next time he needs support in politics. What he does in his private time is his business and the invasion of privacy in utterly unacceptable.

It is now of great interest to all Malaysians to find out how deep the intrigue goes as for identities of the people behind the video recording. Which higher ranking politician was behind the toppling of Dr Chua Soi Lek? Wouldn't you like to know?!?!?!