On “Parti Cina”

So Jeff Ooi is becoming a DAP member. Caught me by surprise actually. But what didn’t surprise me is the “DAP parti Cina-laa” attitude expressed in the comments in his blog. I have some thoughts on this “parti cina” business…

HIDS, 1967: Setapak Declaration

On 29th July 1967 the DAP convened in Setapak to issue a declaration of the party’s ideological beliefs. I have highlighted some of the key points, but have tried my best not to cast judgement on the stands made or introduce too much of my own commentary (I make it very clear where I do).

Keep in mind that this is a product of 1967, more than 40 years ago. In addition to comparing the forward-looking projections made then by the DAP leadership to what we know has actually transpired (2020 hindsight), you can also spot some of the assumptions that were made based on prevailing realities at the time, which perhaps might explain the mindset of the party in the coming years, and any transformations that may have occurred and/or that are still needed. On the other hand, keeping in mind that this was issued 40 years ago significantly strengthens some of the statements and arguments made – both general and specific – for they have withstood the test of time.

From the DAP website:

The Setapak Declaration affirms DAP’s viewpoint that in the process of nation-building, ethnic equality must be made the paramount principle, and it is upon this principle that the separation of citizens into “Bumiputra” and ” non- Bumiputra” is strongly opposed. On policies relating to culture and education, the Declaration stresses the spirit of the National Constitution must be respected; while firmly accepting Bahasa Malaysia as the national language, the right of using other languages must be protected.

The Setapak Declaration also affirms the commitment of DAP to building a creative and harmonious nation, that provides the only way of national integration, not national disintegration. (1967)

You go girlfriend! (India gets lady commander-in-chief)

Prathiba Patil has been appointed by Indian legislators to be the next President of India. Although the role is mostly ceremonial (India’s executive is run by the Prime Minister, not the President), there are certain powers entrusted into the hands of the President, e.g. all the branches of the military report directly to the President, a role which unfortunately gets some exercise in India (Kashmir, separatists, terrorists, disputed border territory with China… take your pick).

Badawi is useless, elegantly pathetic

Let’s play a game of word association, let’s see what is the first reaction that comes to mind for the following:

1. Machap
2. Ijok

I’m willing to bet at least some of you thought of “campaign violence”. In Machap the perpetrators were the MIC (hey, weren’t police reports filed?). Some say the situation in Ijok was a touch murkier, but it was plain for all to see that UMNO Youth campaigners were engaging in violent tactics. Three months ago I noted here that the PM really ought to do something. But what have we received from Nasi Kandar Hadhari? Barely a peep, if that.

He can’t even be counted on to do something  about such clearly disturbing developments, I genuinely fear for some of my friends and family in the upcoming GE, I think in some cases bodyguards may be warranted for campaigners. Safety first. Need to start thinking about that to factor into the campaign budget, stretched as it already is.

This is not leadership. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi must go.

Burgernomics tells us what we already know: RM undervalued

A few weeks ago The Economist released it’s annual Big Mac Index, which is an attempt to comparatively measure national economies based on a single yardstick: the price of a Big Mac at McDonald’s. From the singular source of all knowledge:

One suggested method of predicting exchange rate movements is that the rate between two currencies should naturally adjust so that a sample basket of goods and services should cost the same in both currencies. In the Big Mac index, the “basket” in question is considered to be a single Big Mac sandwich as sold by the McDonald’s fast food restaurant chain. The Big Mac was chosen because it is available to a common specification in many countries around the world, with local McDonald’s franchisees having significant responsibility for negotiating input prices. For these reasons, the index enables a comparison between many countries’ currencies.

So how’s Malaysia doin?

People are not pawns to be used as political playthings

Image courtesy of Mob1900.

Johor Baru=Farmington

The Shield is the best show on television, depicting a gritty seedy town rife with violent crime, and the dirty cops that try to bring balance to a war-torn city, while  at the same time getting into the thick of the dirt themselves.

Raja Petra Kamaruddin’s expose on the crime situation in Johor reminds me a lot of the fictional precinct of Farmington, where The Shield is placed. Only difference is, Johor is a real place.

Parliament=slaughterhouse=my alma matter

Two days ago 6 cows and 10 goats were slaughtered on the grounds of Malaysian Parliament as part of a kenduri for the PM [TheStar]. Fortunately, the organisers of the kenduri reacted somewhat-sort-of-kind-of apologetically (by UMNO standards):

“We had no intention to offend anyone. All we wanted to do was to hold a kenduri for the Prime Minister.”

But the fact remains, putting aside issues of propriety (Is it appropriate to slaughter animals on Parliament grounds per se (whether they be chickens or whatever)? And what about using Parliament grounds for a non-national celebration? Celebration for Sultan is one thing, for PM is a different thing altogether…), the move exhibited astonishing insensitivity to a significant minority of Malaysians, Hindus in particular, for whom the cow is a sacred animal. But no, not astonishing, because I’ve seen this happen before.