Today the Umno Supreme Council has finally bowed to intense preasure and suspended the Penang warlord Ahmad Ismail for 3 years from the party, he however does have the right to appeal. As I see it, this is not the end of this ugly episode. This obviously in the eyes of many is incitement and seditious..not only the speech per se, but his conduct as well during the length of this fiasco. His behavior has been offensive and inciteful, stoked up racial tensions in a time of great political uncertainty. It is therefore the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that this episode never happens again, and to make would be offenders think twice before stoking up racial sentiments.
Its only proper that he be investigated and appropriate action then be taken against him. Also Penang Umno secretary Azhar Ibrahim has a lot of explaining to do on his remarks about the reporter who exposed this scandal ought to be shot. This behavior is totally unacceptable for someone of his stature, he is an elected representative and he ought be made answerable for his threatening remarks. Malaysiakini has yesterday highlighted this issue and it will be interesting to see what comes out of this. By the looks of it there is a whole can worms waiting to be opened.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Umno must go
Here is a letter which i sent to Malaysiakini over the weekend and it was published on tuesday.
"The recent comments by Bukit Bendera Umno chief Ahmad Ismail and his subsequent arrogance in defending himself and further inflaming the issue has only confirmed that Umno as an organisation is quickly losing control over itself.
The current Umno president obviously has no control over his own party, and this whole "I'm a prime minister for all Malaysians" has been proven to be mere rhetoric. He is unable to control his own party, and his subordinates seem to be wrestling him into submission. This "prime minister for all Malaysians" has failed miserably in his duty to stand up for and defend all his fellow countrymen.
During the last general elections, we the people, said enough is enough and scarred the hell out of Umno. It was a golden oppurtunity for much needed reforms and rebranding within the party and also government.
Instead the leaders of Umno squandered it and dug deeper into that miserable cave of racism, fear mongering and denial. It is becoming ever more apparent that as an organisation, they lack substance and the only thing they can come up with is Malay Rights, NEP and playing up the 'Chinese Bogeyman' to scare Malays into submission.
Having said that, I believe Sep 16 is a "do or die" chance for us to once and for all get rid of Umno from power. As an organisation, it is becoming obvious that it is unwilling and incapable of reforming from within and taking a more moderate and inclusive stance. Once removed it should not be allowed to come back again, at least not in the current form.
Parties like MCA and MIC too are proving to be irrelevant in this day and age and should also be put away. As Malaysians, its about time we had a government that looked at us as fellow Malaysians and not through the colour of our skins.
It’s about time that we are all made to feel that we belong here instead being the eternal pendatang, and with Umno around, that is not going to happen. The recent by-election campaign in Permatang Pauh is proof enough about the depths Umno is willing to sink into to hold on to power, and reason enough to put it away.
I am a second generation Malaysian and proud of it. I don't feel at home in any other country. They say, “You tak suka, you keluar Malaysia-lah!”. Why should I leave Malaysia? This is my country too and I think this is a country worth fighting for.
For me, race based politics is an archaic, miserable concept which is dying a slow miserable death and is yet putting up a fight for survival. Multiracialism is the way go, and a path to a better Malaysia for everyone who inhabits her."
"The recent comments by Bukit Bendera Umno chief Ahmad Ismail and his subsequent arrogance in defending himself and further inflaming the issue has only confirmed that Umno as an organisation is quickly losing control over itself.
The current Umno president obviously has no control over his own party, and this whole "I'm a prime minister for all Malaysians" has been proven to be mere rhetoric. He is unable to control his own party, and his subordinates seem to be wrestling him into submission. This "prime minister for all Malaysians" has failed miserably in his duty to stand up for and defend all his fellow countrymen.
During the last general elections, we the people, said enough is enough and scarred the hell out of Umno. It was a golden oppurtunity for much needed reforms and rebranding within the party and also government.
Instead the leaders of Umno squandered it and dug deeper into that miserable cave of racism, fear mongering and denial. It is becoming ever more apparent that as an organisation, they lack substance and the only thing they can come up with is Malay Rights, NEP and playing up the 'Chinese Bogeyman' to scare Malays into submission.
Having said that, I believe Sep 16 is a "do or die" chance for us to once and for all get rid of Umno from power. As an organisation, it is becoming obvious that it is unwilling and incapable of reforming from within and taking a more moderate and inclusive stance. Once removed it should not be allowed to come back again, at least not in the current form.
Parties like MCA and MIC too are proving to be irrelevant in this day and age and should also be put away. As Malaysians, its about time we had a government that looked at us as fellow Malaysians and not through the colour of our skins.
It’s about time that we are all made to feel that we belong here instead being the eternal pendatang, and with Umno around, that is not going to happen. The recent by-election campaign in Permatang Pauh is proof enough about the depths Umno is willing to sink into to hold on to power, and reason enough to put it away.
I am a second generation Malaysian and proud of it. I don't feel at home in any other country. They say, “You tak suka, you keluar Malaysia-lah!”. Why should I leave Malaysia? This is my country too and I think this is a country worth fighting for.
For me, race based politics is an archaic, miserable concept which is dying a slow miserable death and is yet putting up a fight for survival. Multiracialism is the way go, and a path to a better Malaysia for everyone who inhabits her."
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