Time to transform Left Coalition into a third force

By Viktor Wong

TheAntDaily.com 15/8/2014

As the people are getting fed up with the intense politicking of both the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and opposition Pakatan Rakyat, it is time for political parties outside of BN and Pakatan to seriously consider joining forces to become an alternative voice for the people. It is also time for the people to seriously reconsider their voting trend to prevent these two coalitions from becoming too powerful.

BN’s 1Malaysia has become a mere slogan of convenience instead of promoting a non-racial approach and national unity as the ruling coalition’s dominant Umno is expounding racial and religious extremism, hate politics and threats. Other BN component parties like MCA, MIC, Gerakan and PPP had failed to prevent Umno from swaying to the right and had since become irrelevant. Corruption, power abuse and mismanagement by the ruling coalition are still happening.

On Pakatan’s side, many promises made in the last two general elections remain unfulfilled and are fading away. Crucial ones like the restoration of local council elections and parliamentary reforms had not been pursued seriously by Pakatan-led state governments. It is known that one of the Pakatan component parties is not in favour of local council elections but did not publicly oppose it.

Are we expecting them to shirk more of their public responsibilities?

It was the people’s disillusionment with BN that prompted them to vote Pakatan, in the hope of strengthening the opposition bench for more effective checks and balances.

However, Pakatan has performed below the people’s expectations. So, should we then vote for BN again in the next general election despite knowing its past and current misdeeds and wrongdoings? The people should be more careful in their voting.

Due to such unfavourable political trends, many would opt to stay at home and not vote for any of the two coalitions come polling day, but will such boycotts from the silent majority move these two coalitions? Certainly it will not.

First of all, why depend on a two-party system and limit our democratic choice to only voting BN or Pakatan? Why can’t we opt for a multi-party system by voting political parties outside of the BN and Pakatan coalitions into the legislatures so that issues of both BN and Pakatan can be exposed and scrutinised to ensure their implementation of policies will not go astray?

It is understood that Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has roped in Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) and a left-leaning NGO, Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) as well as other leftist NGOs to form the Left Coalition with the intention of educating people on greater democracy, equality and the third vote (local council elections).

Prior to that, PSM has been caught in an unusual position cooperating with Pakatan after the opposition coalition’s refusal to accept its application. In the last general election (GE13), PSM had a bitter experience of being betrayed by Pakatan when its candidates were challenged by Pakatan component parties.

Apart from that, PSM was also forced to adopt the PKR emblem when it contested two seats each in GE12 and GE13, on grounds that PSM’s fist emblem was unsuitable to the electorate. How long will PSM have to tolerate such an unjust situation?

PSM stressed that the newly formed but not formalised Left Coalition will only act as a watchdog to expose both BN and Pakatan administrations, politics and policies and cautioning them when they go astray, admitting that the newly formed coalition was not yet a third force. On the other hand PSM has yet to give up its attempt to join the Pakatan coalition.

But why has PSM initiated the Left Coalition while still harbouring hopes of joining Pakatan one day? Has PSM forgotten how it was betrayed in GE13 when it lost a state seat in a multi-cornered fight?

By looking at the situations in BN and Pakatan now, hasn’t PSM realised the importance of the Left Coalition and the need to let the people know why it should emerge as a third force? You are the alternative for the people but why still hesitate?

The people have become disillusioned with both BN and Pakatan, and the Left Coalition should take this opportunity to step in to serve the purpose.

MTUC wants compulsory 5-day work week, but some employers still object

By Sonia Ramachandran

The Ant Daily, 19 July 2014

A five-day work week may seem the norm for many in the country, both in the private and public sectors.

But this is apparently not the case, according to the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) who reportedly has been receiving complaints that many companies in the forwarding, shipping, logistic and ancillary service sectors were still practising a six-day work week with Saturdays as half day.

An MTUC survey showed that these companies dealt mainly with businesses that closed on Saturdays, thereby bringing into question the point of having employees work on that day.

Thus, MTUC wants the government to make it compulsory for the private sector to implement a five-day work week to increase productivity and allow for families to have more quality time together.

However, Malaysia Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan told theantdaily that such a move was not practical.

“To make it compulsory is not going to be practical because various sectors are not able to go for a five-day week, especially sectors that work 365 days a year, such as the media, hotels and public transportation sectors.

“To make it compulsory will incur additional costs to such employers. Having said that, there are also some employers who allow a four-day week where their employees work 12 hours daily. This is quite popular with Japanese manufacturing companies,” he said.

Another inhibiting factor to a five-day work week, said Shamsuddin, is the Employment Act 1955 whose provisions were mostly drawn up in the 1950s when most companies worked six days a week.

“For example, there is the 22 days of sick leave provided for under the Employment Act which was provided for in the 1950s when most companies had a six-day work week. To encourage companies to go for a five-day work week, sick leave, annual leave as well as public holidays should also be reduced proportionately.

“We are not trying to obtain an unfair advantage. It’s only fair as employees will be getting an additional 52 days off with a five-day week,” he said.

MTUC deputy secretary-general A Balasubramaniam reportedly said the governments should make it compulsory for the private sector to implement a five-day work week to increase productivity as well as help in streamlining the working days with government agencies, departments and financial institutions.

Balasubramaniam said it was a waste of time and money in addition to lowering employee morale to have a six-day work week.

He urged the Human Resources Ministry to take the initiative to educate businesses on the benefits of a five-day week, including their employees having more leisure and quality time with their families and friends.

With Malaysia considered one of the countries with the most number of public holidays in the world, it is understandable where Shamsuddin is coming from as an employer.

Theoretically, the additional days off would be set off by longer work hours but some employers may have no need for employers to stay beyond certain hours a day, thus needing a six-day week to make up the necessary hours.

As Shamsuddin pointed out, making it compulsory will not work. The government will need to make it worthwhile for companies to do so.

Make 5-day work week compulsory, says MTUC

Putrajaya should make it compulsory for the private sector to implement a five-day work week to increase productivity, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) said today.

Its deputy secretary-general, A.Balasubramaniam, said this would also help to streamline the working days with government agencies, departments and financial institutions.

He said MTUC had been receiving complaints that many companies in the shipping, forwarding, logistic and ancillary service sectors were still practising a six-day work week with Saturdays as half-day.

An MTUC survey revealed that these companies dealt mainly with businesses that
closed on Saturdays.

"What use is it to open for business when your counterparts are closed?"

He added that it was a waste of time and money, besides lowering employee morale.

He said the Human Resources Ministry should take the initiative to educate these businesses on the benefits of a five-day work week, which, among others, provided leisure and quality time for employees to be with their families and friends, and improve the overall job satisfaction and quality of life. – Bernama, July 15, 2014.- TMI

PSM: Left Coalition to act as watchdog

As Malaysian voters vacillate between the programmes of Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat, much has been said, but little has been done, about establishing a genuine 'third' force' in Malaysian politics.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has been treading an unusual path, co-operating with Pakatan, but also finding itself in a number of unpleasant tussles with its component members.

Aiming to bring socialist ideology back into the country's political discourse, PSM is now mooting the Left Coalition.

Together with partners Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), and several other groups the party intends to educate the people about greater democracy and equality.

PSM president Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim believes the Left Coalition will act as a 'watchdog', exposing issues in both Barisan and Pakatan administrations and cautioning them if they have gone astray.

He admitted the coalition was not yet the third force it hopes to be, as its initial focus was to analyse public mindset and attract more members who could be critical and not political.

"But if ever Malaysians become too disillusioned with both sides of the political divide, then we would want to step in to resolve the problem, and become a political force to be reckoned with," he told The Star Online recently.

Despite a slow start, the informal coalition recently formed five subcommittees to look into several areas dealing primarily with education on leftist ideology and the role of the left in Malaysian history, trade unionism, social media engagement, drafting left policies, as well as mass movement and action.

Their ideas and findings will be presented when the coalition meets again in July.

It has also finished drafting a constitution outlining the collective objectives of the member bodies, with quarterly meetings being held to discuss issues of interest.

However, it is not planning to become a registered coalition just yet, nor one that would contest in elections.

"Right now, the focus is on getting our programmes underway, as we feel that only by conducting regular activities and having a clear direction can we get stronger as a coalition," said PSM secretary-general S. Arutchelvan.

There is still the prickly issue of PSM's involvement with Pakatan Rakyat, with a proposed merger prior to last year's general election being rejected by the latter.

Arutchelvan refused to close the chapter on a possible link-up with the opposition coalition in the future, but was also clear about not wanting to wait around for a decision from its leaders.

"At the moment, PSM is not focusing on this (merging with Pakatan Rakyat). We do not wish to wait around for their decision. We will go ahead with our plans, and if Pakatan feels that we should join them, they must write to us.

"When that time comes, we will discuss it with our Left Coalition partners," he said.

Meanwhile, PRM, one of the oldest political parties in the country that is now rebuilding itself after most of its members joined the merger with PKR in 2003, is hoping the Left Coalition will help further its long-time agenda of a proportional representation of the voting system.

Its president Dr Rohana Ariffin sees the coalition as a coming together of organisations with similar interests, though she believes they should still be able to fight for their individual goals.

"The coalition is a collaborative effort to educate the public - especially those who are dissatisfied with the current political landscape but are unsure how to bring about change.

"As a coalition member, PRM still runs its own programmes and works together on other activities," she said when contacted.

PSM is expected to address some pertinent issues when it convenes for its 16th National Congress in Port Dickson this weekend from June 13-15.

Among the topics to be debated are how the socialist party plans to stack up against the Islamic politics that is taking centrestage in Malaysia - for instance, if it sees itself working with a party like PAS.It will also discuss the transition of power among the party's top leadership to ensure a smooth process, as the terms of its current leaders will expire in 2018.- TheStaronline/PSM website

Where's the Hudud?

By Aurora

A friend of mine who is back for holidays from Alabama, US (yes, yes, Obama is president of the country!) swaggered towards the mamak shop as we have decided to met over a cup of teh tarik. "Hey" he said "what 's this I heard about the Hudud coming to town man? " " Er..yes," I replied " "a lot of talk over here except it tones down a little whenever there is a by-election". He asked me if I support the hudud and I vaguely answered that as a Muslim I must adhere to it as we must have blind faith to avoid ostracism by other faithful obedient Muslims.

He frowned and after thinking awhile said " But I have several questions to ask you because details need to be clarified. First, the chopping of limbs because of stealing. Now does it commensurate with the amount or value stolen? Let's say that a person stole a motorbike and another stole a few million by white collar crimes, which is rampant these days ...and politicians who squandered the Rakyat's money? Now surely not all amount is treated equivalent to one limb or limbs ? "

"Taking all their crimes into consideration and the reality are that almost half of parliamentarians and state assembly men/women are involved, do we cut off their fingers, arms and legs?" "Wallo," he continues" this means we need to build many rams in parliament and state assemblies as we have to catered to these people". "Can I have the contract to build them?" he asked me. I said that it is not fair to the naturally handicapped people who have been born with one or two limbs missing to be wrongly viewed by people to equate them with those who had their limbs amputated due to their crime. This is especially when they want to go to attend some state and parliament proceedings?

"Hah!" he said. "Then we build two separate rams. One label states for the naturally handicap and the other states Others! "Never mind he said, if he gets the contract to build the rams, he is happy enough to let go off his conscience.

Then I thought what if the money has been sent to an overseas bank or has been used to buy property in their spouse or relatives names? Do we also punish the conspirators as well?

"Another question again' he said". The stoning of adulterers... I heard that the stones have to be of certain diameter and weight so that killing victim could be done effectively. Are they thinking of building a stone factory, medium or big scale to make the stones? And can I get the contract?"

"Then how about rape?" "Isn't it enough that we have DNA sampling now, instead of resorting to four male witness? As that time of ruling there was no technology of ballistic, DNA technique, forensic behaviour specialists...." on and on he went with modern technologies "and what the hack, should four men standby folding their arms and not doing anything while the poor woman was being rape?...voyeurs ke?" I meekly said that since all these new technology are discovered by the west, maybe they are not suitable for Muslim societies!

As I could not give him a decent explanation as I am not schooled in islamic legislation nor even from a pondok school, before getting up he throw me another question. "Hey, how about cultural dances? Would hudud ban my favourite Dangdut?." I also thought, what is life without music and festivities?

He then laughed and said that since he is going back to secular America and perhaps would not secure the proposed contracts, he wished me luck and cautioned me not to commit any simple crime like stealing visible objects!! He then swaggered into the sunset.-Rakyattimes.com

Majlis Makan Malam Amal PRM

Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) akan mengadakan satu Majlis Makan Malam Amal pada 7hb Jun 2014 yakni pada hari Sabtu pada jam 7.00 malam di Ttanz Hotel Seafood Restaurant, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur.

Saudara-saudari ahli-ahli PRM adalah dijemput hadir pada jamuan makan malam amal ini yang bertujuan untuk mengumpul sumbangan untuk tabung parti. Tiket untuk jamuan tersebut adalah berharga RM100 setiap satu.

Untuk keterangan lanjut, saudara-saudari bolehlah menghubungi Sdri Dr Rohana di 012-4221255 atau Sdr Raj di 016-3478001.

Kenyataan Presiden CUEPACS membelakangkan demokrasi

Kami merujuk kepada kenyataan presiden Kongress Kesatuan Sekerja Perkhidmatan Awam (CUEPACS) Azih Muda yang mengatakan kakitangan-kakitangan awam yang tidak bersetuju dengan perlaksanaan GST adalah pengkhianat negara dan sememangnya patut disingkirkan daripada perkhidmatan awam.

Kami ingin memberikan peringatan kepada presiden CUEPACS itu bahawa kenyataan beliau itu sememangnya tidak bertanggungjawab, menafikan hak-hak para kakitangan awam sebagai rakyat Malaysia dan membelakangkan amalan demokrasi.

Tindakan dan kenyataan Azih itu menggambarkan seolah-olahnya CUEPACS itu adalah seperti sebuah kongsi gelap di mana ahli-ahlinya perlu melafazkan sumpah taat setia membabi buta kepada pemimpin mereka tanpa mempersoalkan apa-apa bentuk dasar dan arahan yang diperturunkan.

Presiden dan para pemimpin CUEPACS perlu diingatkan bahawa kakitangan-kakitangan awam negara ini juga mempunyai hak asasi kemanusiaan mereka, begitu juga dengan presiden dan para pemimpin gabungan kesatuan tersebut. Melakukan sesuatu yang cuba menghadkan hak asasi ahli-ahli kesatuan adalah jelas tidak berpelembagaan dan melampaui batas kemanusiaan.

Ahli-ahli kesatuan adalah juga rakyat Malaysia dan sebagai warganegara Malaysia, mereka punyai hak yang sama seperti kita untuk meluahkan rasa tidak puashati mereka terhadap mana-mana dasar kerajaan ataupun kegiatan-kegiatan yang difikirkan tidak bersesuaian dengan kehidupan mereka. Selain daripada itu, ahli-ahli CUEPACS ini juga berhak menentukan siapakah yang akan memimpin kesatuan yang mereka anggotai setelah penggal kepimpinan kesatuan sekarang tamat.

Satu lagi persoalan yang ingin kami kemukakan kepada Azih Muda. Siapakah Azih sebenarnya mewakili? Adakah beliau mewakili kira-kira sejuta kakitangan awam seleruh negara ataupun kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) yang dikuasai Umno ini? Jika sekiranya presiden CUEPACS itu ingin mewakili kerajaan BN, kami menasihatkan beliau agar meletakkan jawatannya sebagai pemimpin kesatuan sekerja tersebut.

Bersatulah dengan Kesatuan dan Parti Politik Progresif! Tukar Kerajaan Kapitalis!

Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) menyeru kerajaan BN memansuhkan undang-undang dan peraturan yang tidak membela nasib kelas buruh negara ini, membenarkan hak kesatuan sekerja kebebasan berorganisasi, serta mengambil tindakan perindustrian (industrial actions) seperti mogok apabila menghadapi penindasan dan eksploitasi atau menuntut kenaikan gaji dan pembaikian suasana pekerjaan, demi mempertahankan hak pekerja.

Parti Rakyat Malaysia juga menyeru parti pemerintah menghentikan pelaksanaan dasar buruh murah (Cheap labour policy ), secara berperingkat mengurangkan buruh pendatang, serta memberikan hak buruh yang sama kepada buruh pendatang di dalam negara ini.

1 Mei ialah Hari Buruh Antarabangsa. Hari perayaan antarabangsa ini merupakan hari cuti am di kebanyakan negara. Pertubuhan buruh serta parti dan organisasi progresif di seluruh dunia mengadakan perarakan dan perhimpunan, tujuan utamanya ialah untuk memperingati dan meraikan kejayaan perjuangan kelas buruh menuntut hak bekerja 8-jam sehari, membaiki suasana bekerja dan kebajikan pekerja. Di samping itu, pekerja juga mengambil ruang 1 Mei menuntut mempertingkatkan gaji dan kualiti kehidupan.

Buat masa sekarang, suasana bekerja dan layanan kelas kerja telah ada perubahan baik di sesetengah negara jika berbanding dengan suasana mogok raksasa pekerja Chicago di Amerika Syarikat pada1886 untuk menuntut hak bekerja 8-jam sehari. Ketika itu, 4 orang pemimpin pekerja digantung sampai mati.

Tetapi layanan kelas buruh berbeza dari sebuah negara ke negara lain, pekerja dan pekerja kanak-kanak negara-negara Dunia Ketiga masih harus bekerja di bawah situasi yang buruk dan masa yang panjang demi mendapatkan sesuap nasi dan gaji yang sedikit, ada di antara buruh ini mengambil jalan membunuh diri kerana tidak tahan tekanan yang amat dahsyat ini. Walaupun nasib buruh di negara yang maju lebih baik, tetapi apabila wujudnya krisis ekonomi, kelas menengah yang terdiri daripada buruh mahir dan profesional juga menghadapi kesusahan, keadaan kehidupan mereka makin hari makin buruk. 

Di Malaysia, kerajaan Perikatan (badan pra-Barisan Nasional) hanya mengisytiharkan 1 Mei Hari Buruh sebagai hari cuti pada tahun 1972. Sebelum itu, meraikan Hari Buruh Antarabangsa adalah tidak dibenarkan dan melanggar peraturan. Kesatuan atau parti politik kiri yang meraikan Hari Buruh ditekan oleh kerajaan Perikatan.

Kini, keadaan pekerjaan kelas buruh negara ini tidak bertambah baik, sebalik telah hilang hak-hak yang dinikmati mereka. Di bawah dasar ‘out-sourcing’, pekerja telah kehilangan kebajikan yang ditawar oleh pihak kilang. Selepas Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13, BN memerintah, kerajaan BN melaksanakan rasionalisasi subsidi barangan, oleh itu subsidi petrol, gas asli, gula, caj elektrik dll untuk rakyat dikurangkan atau dihapus, cukai GST akan dilaksanakan, kelas buruh perlu hadapi tekanan kenaikan harga barang yang melambung tinggi, kehidupan menjadi lebih susah.

Bagi seorang graduan baru, jika bergaji RM5000 sebulan, sigraduan itu dengan diri seorang langsung tidak mampu membeli sebuah rumah dengan bayaran ansuran. Tetapi kerajaan BN masih terus memberikan subsidi kepada syarikat monopoli, melaksanakan dasar bazir dan korup. Di dalam negara atau di dunia ini, pertentangan antara 1% orang yang berada dengan 99% rakyat yang tertindas kian runcing.

Parti Rakyat Malaysia berpendapat, untuk mengubah nasib kelas buruh yang kian menurun ini, kelas buruh dan rakyat tertindas harus tingkatkan kesedaran dan insaf, harus mengubah perjuangan pekerja yang berkitar pada penambahbaikan ekonomi , bersatulah di bawah kesatuan sekerja dan parti politik progresif, menghala ke perjuangan politik mengubah pemerintahan kelas kapitalis yang tamak, korup dan monopoli. Dengan demikian, kelas buruh dapat mengubah nasib mereka, mengubah dunia ini.

Parti Rakyat Malaysia

人民党2014年5.1献词

团结起来与进步工会党团改变资本家政府

马来西亚人民党呼吁国阵政府废除不利国内工人阶级法律条文，让工人有自由组织职工会，采取工业行动如罢工的权利，在面对资产阶级压迫和剥削或要求改善工作待遇和条件时，得以捍卫工人权利。

马来西亚人民党也呼吁执政党停止实行廉价劳工政策，逐渐减少外国劳工，并给与国内外国劳工享有同等劳工权利。

5月1日是国际劳动节。这个一年一度的世界性节日，许多国家定为公共假期。世界各地工人组织和左翼党团都会在这一天举办游行集会，主要目的是纪念并庆祝工人阶级成功争取每日工作8小时，改善工作条件和福利而进行的艰苦斗争。工人在纪念和庆祝时，也要求进一步改善和提高工人待遇和生活素质。

今天，一些国家的工人阶级的工作条件和待遇，比起1886年美国芝加哥工人大罢工，要求实行每天工作8小时的状况，已经有所改善。当时有四位工人领袖因此被判处死邢而被吊死。

但是不同国家的工人阶级遭遇不同，第三世界国家的工人和童工，为了得到微薄的工资，必须在恶劣和长时间的工作条件下争一口饭挣扎求存，获取微薄的工资，有者经受不起恶劣工作压力而自杀。

发达国家的工人条件虽有改善，但是当经济危机出现时，即使是中产阶级的技术和专业人士也面对打击困难，他们的生活条件不断恶化。

在马来西亚，联盟政府（国阵前身）迟至1972年才宣布5.1劳动节为公共假期。在这之前，庆祝国祭劳动节还是非法的。职工会和左翼党团庆祝劳动节要面对联盟政府镇压。

今天，国内工人阶级的工作条件没有得到改善，反而被剥夺许多所享有权力。例如在工作外包的政策下，工人失去享有厂方职工福利。在5.05第十三届大选后，国阵再次执政后，国阵政府实行合理化物价津贴，因此汽油、天然气、白糖、电费等津贴被削 减或取消，新的服务税(GST)将实施，受薪工人阶级必须面对物价高涨的巨大压力，生活更加苦。

现在，一个新的大学毕业生如果月薪5000令吉，靠自己，完全买不起一间分期付款的房屋。但是，国阵政府却继续津贴垄断财团，实行腐败浪费政策。国内以及世界各地，1%富人对99%被剥削人民的矛盾不断尖锐化。

马来西亚人民党认为，要改变工人阶级日愈恶化的局面，必须提高觉悟，必须突破围绕在改善经济条件的斗争，团结在进步工团和政党下，进行政治斗争，改变垄断贪腐的资产阶级执政，才能真正改变工人阶级的命运，改变这个的世界。

马来西亚人民党

Of human bondage - the Aishah factor

By Dr Rohana Ariffin

After the British papers came out with news of three women being held captive by a couple two weeks ago, out of the blue, a close friend and London returnee called me.

“Hey,” he said through the phone “do you remember Aishah and Chairman Ara?”. Cracking my old brain to remember friends or acquaintances of 40 years and beyond, I meekly replied “er...vaguely...”.

In his usual excitment, he said “ala..you must remember, you got to remember!" with such insistence especially when a Daily Telegraph reporter was accompanying him to talk to old returnees from London of the seventies.

Well, this brings me to recollect the old days of the seventies when I was a post-graduate student there. This was the time of the Vietnam War, Black civil movement in the United States and the feminist struggle which took front stage.

Thousands of students were aroused with those issues with debates and speeches and demonstrations held against the Vietnam War, and strong support for the black and feminist movement.

It was the heyday of the Left or socialist movement.

Unlike the early eighties when Iran fell to the Ayatollahs, when overseas Malaysian students were befriended and roped into Islamic groups, the seventies marked a time when Malaysian students were also persuaded by various shades of Maoism, socialism and Marxism.

This was sometimes led by a more collective leadership and a few led by strong personalities and resembling a cultish group.

At that time, besides college and university students, there were many young women who went to London for training in nursing and some did attend such groups.

Similar to the cult of the eighties and till today, based mainly on religious differences as exemplified by the Ayah Pin episode, some of these left wing cult leaders preached strong loyalty to the group.

Some followers were even told to stop studying and leave their universities as, had they continued studying, it may turn them into a petty bourgeois.

Afterall, this is a proletariat struggle and therefore one has to be a proletariat to be part of the movement and to be in the vanguard!

Many members were told not to mix with other left groups as this may “contaminate” their ideas. Therefore, such vulnerability should be preserved.

In the extreme, they were encouraged to minimise or even severe any contacts with relatives and families.

Many did not return to Malaysia and they continue to stay in Britain, not to enjoy the British weather, food and hospitality!!

Their mission was to carry out their belief to change the capitalist system to socialism and to fight imperialism all the way especially after the collapse of the Cold War.

The surge of the United States as a dominant force unchallenged by any other country, has led to the interference of the US in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Thus, the story of Aishah is not about slavery (or sex slavery) but more of devotion to a certain belief and struggle. 

This was led by a charismatic (?) or influential leader who was well read and with knowledge of politics grounded much earlier than his followers, being more matured and had some networking before the arrival of these young students.

The strong personality of the leader was of utmost importance, some even bordering on authoritarianism.

Splinter groups were found everywhere, some more open, others more closed and cultish.

Whatever is said and done, it is a path an individual chooses, depending on one's perspective of the world and the commitment to either maintain the status quo or bring changes for a better equity and distribution of wealth in a society.- The Staronline

PRM 45th National Congress

Party Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) has recently held its 45th National Congress at the Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) on 17th November 2013.

The congress was officiated by party president Dr Rohana Ariffin who later presented her policy speech to the delegates, invited guests, fraternal parties and the press. In her policy speech, Dr Rohana had stressed on the need to have a proportional voting system instead of the first-past-the-post-system which had given advantage to only bigger and stronger political parties to dominate the political scene.

Apart from that, our party president also touched on the importance of the youth movement, the international politics and urge party delegates and members to continue their struggle against capitalism.

Also invited to the congress were Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) chairman, Dr Nasir Hashim, PSM secretary-general S.Arutchelvan, ABU chairman, Haris Ibrahim and other members of the Socialist groups.

After the opening of the congress, party secretary-general Al--Jafree Yusop later tabled the party's annual report and the minutes of the previous year's national congress, followed by party's financial report, debates on the party president's policy speech and discussion on resolutions forwarded by the delegates.

PRM pushing for fairer representation

The Ant Daily - 15/9/2013

By Al Jafree Md Yusop

Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) is one of the oldest parties in the country but has yet to make an impact on the national scene. This is simply because under the two-party system practised in Malaysia, smaller parties like PRM stand no chance of making it big.

Hence, PRM wants to change this traditional system because it believes it is not benefiting the people. It is now pushing for the proportional voting system.

“Under the current two-party system, smaller parties get wiped out. No representatives from these parties have ever been elected to the State Legislative Assembly or Parliament,” PRM president Dr Rohana Ariffin told theantdaily.

“Under the proportional voting system, a fairer representation of the various groups in our society could be better represented,” she added.

“For instance, the aborigines comprised seven per cent of the population; they should get at least about similar representation in Parliament.

“Women and youths, too, would have a bigger share of political representation in Parliament. Not only are bigger political parties represented in Parliament but we will also have MPs representing other interest groups and smaller parties,” she said.

PRM was founded by Ahmad Boestamam on Nov 11, 1955. In 2003, it merged with Parti Keadilan Nasional to become Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

However, in 2007 the court declared that PRM still exists. After the historic 2008 general election, Pakatan Rakyat was formed but PRM stayed out of it.

PRM now plans to continue its role as a political and social critique of any unequal economic and social relations and of any form of exploitation, corruption and abuse of power in the country.

“Our vision is contrary to the mainstream thinking of both the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan.

The results of the 13th general election showed a clear a political divide between those who supported the government and those opposing it,” said Rohana.

“This clearly reflected the typical Malaysian mindset: an unchanging pattern continuing for many years, voting primarily for political parties rather than for any good candidates who may have served them well over the years or having the potential to do so,” she added.

PRM may be a very old party but Rohana said the party is still active. She pointed out that its small membership was due to several factors

.

“One, some members have accepted the merger of PKR. Two, some members were not sure where to go from there.

“Some members have complained of feeling being ‘let down’ by the former leaders and thus have no more faith to be in PRM. Some felt the need to reorganise the party to strengthen it,” she said.

“The public perception is that PRM does not exist any longer, particularly among the urban youths,” said Rohana, who was an associate professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia.

The party, however, has not lost its traditional struggle, that is, fighting against injustice.

According to Rohana, PRM believed that all oppressive institutions that curb basic human rights irrespective of gender and age should be abolished.

“These outdated institutions included propagating fascistic and fanatical tendencies; they should be replaced with institutions that support human rights with humanity and compassion,” she said.

Is a third force needed?

The Ant Daily - 3/9/2013

By Al Jafree Md Yusop

The idea of a third force is getting popular because many citizens are feeling disillusioned with Pakatan Rakyat, said a political scientist.

Wong Chin Huat said the disillusion stems largely from Pakatan’s failure to convince Malaysians that it can be really different from Barisan Nasional (BN), notwithstanding the remarkable reforms carried out in Penang and Selangor.

“A major contributor to the perception that Pakatan is just another bunch of power-crazy politicians is its in-fighting. More likely, they lack confidence so they are fighting a life-and-death battle for whatever they have now."

“Perhaps they are infiltrated by ‘Trojan Horses’ sent by Umno or BN. More likely, they are simply too trapped in the winner-takes-all mentality so prevalent in Malaysian politics,” said Wong, who is also a fellow at Penang Institute, a think tank linked to the Penang state government.

In the build-up to the 13th general election, talk was rife that a third force would take shape to challenge the BN, but it all remained a dream.

But Wong believes the third force can work given the voters' distrust of politicians.

According to him, if voters do not trust politicians now, they should take upon themselves the task of becoming agents of change.

They should put more trust in their ability to change politicians and not just be cynical and bitter, he said.

“The third force can take the form of organisations and movements such as Bersih 2.0 which is civil society-led.

“If Malaysians are eventually strong enough to stop flawed political elections, the two coalitions (BN and Pakatan) will get the message...,” he told theantdaily.

During Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s (PSM) 15th national congress last June, party members have agreed to form a non-electoral alliance among the left political parties and NGOs in Malaysia.

According to PSM chairman Dr Nasir Hashim, the alliance could eventually be turned into a third force to contest in the next general election.

“This (third force) will happen once we feel we are ready to face the challenge,” he added.

But why a non-electoral alliance instead of an electoral one?

Nasir said PSM is concentrating on empowering its members and the left movement in this country.

This is to ensure that they will be well prepared to face the rakyat and explain to them what socialism is and how it can help them, he said.

“The process of empowering our members and the left movement in this country is important to prepare them in facing the challenges ahead.

“You must understand that we have been backstabbed by our ‘friends’ in Pakatan during GE13, and we have been demonised by the ruling party for so long. I think it’s time for PSM to make extra effort to explain to the people what socialism really is,” he said.

Nasir has once described PSM’s relations with Pakatan as a “mess” in the run-up to the hotly contested GE13.

He said PSM realised that it had entered the May polls without strength and was hoping for a one-on-one contest and also Pakatan votes to ensure victory.

“As a result of the obstacles and sabotage, we were left alone (in GE13) to face our enemies in Pakatan and also BN. They took the opportunity to exploit this as had happened in Kota Damansara, where PAS said it expected to win with the support of PKR and Umno,” he said.

Nasir won the Kota Damansara state seat on a PKR ticket in the 2008 general election, but in the May polls lost it to BN in a three-cornered fight.

PSM - spurned and misunderstood

The Ant Daily 29/8/2013

By: Al Jafree Md Yusop

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) not only has to contend with an uneasy political relationship with Pakatan Rakyat, but also has to address the false perception people have about socialism.

It is a difficult task to change the public perception of the socialist party but it is not going to deter PSM chairman Dr Nasir Hashim from taking corrective measures.

According to him, PSM has been accused of being a bunch of terrorists and communists, among others.

It didn’t help PSM’s cause that during the 13th general election (GE13), PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang even described PSM as a party that glorified the communist movement with photographs of Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Karl Mark and other communist leaders.

To rectify the situation, PSM has decided to form a non-electoral alliance with NGOs to educate the people on socialism.

The left-wing party has also come under attack over its alleged atheistic leaning, but Nasir was quick to refute the allegation.

He said socialism is not far from the teachings of Islam.

He added that in Surah Al-Qasas from the Quran it is mentioned: “And we wish to give blessings to those who have been exploited on earth and wish to make them leaders, also make them the inheritors [of this earth].”

“That is exactly what we are fighting for, so the claim that socialism is against the teachings of Islam is baseless,” said Nasir. He added that the socialist ideology has to take into consideration the local surroundings.

He said it is important to study how a noble idea like socialism can be effective in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Malaysia.

“It has to go through a process of adaptation, because while we see that socialist countries like Cuba and Venezuela have developed, we have to further study whether their ideas there could be adapted to our struggle in Malaysia in the local context,” he said.

Small political parties like PSM have always been a victim of the electoral system being practised in Malaysia.

The first-past-the-post system tends to favour a dual-party system, where most of the time there are only two major choices for the voters to choose.

The entrance of a third party will always be perceived as an attempt to split votes through three-cornered fights.

PSM, founded in 1998, is an offshoot of Parti Rakyat Malaysia. For the first 10 years, PSM was denied registration as a political party by the government because it was considered a threat to national security.

However, the Home Ministry gave it the green light in June 2008. PSM won only one parliamentary seat in GE13 when its candidate Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj retained the Sungei Siput seat in Perak.

Cadangan BN Sebagai Parti Tunggal Gagal Walaupun Belum Bermula

Setelah Barisan Nasional (BN) mencapai kemenangan tipis di dalam pilihanraya umum yang ke-13 (PRU13) pada 5hb Mei yang lalu, timbul pula cadangan di kalangan pemimpin-pemimpin kanan BN yang inginkan supaya semua parti-parti komponen BN dibubarkan dan keahliannya digabungkan di dalam BN sebagai sebuah parti politik tunggal.

Cadangan tersebut disokong kuat oleh sebuah parti komponen BN, iaitu Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) dengan mengatakan bahawa sebuah parti tunggal BN yang mewakili semua kaum dan agama adalah perlu bagi membuktikan bahawa perpaduan antara kaum di bawah payung BN adalah lebih berkesan dan berjaya jika dibandingkan dengan gabungan-gabungan parti-parti politik yang lain.

Namun demikian, cadangan BN sebagai sebuah parti tunggal dengan penggabungan kesemua parti-parti komponen BN melalui pembubaran parti masing-masing telahpun gagal sama sekali walaupun ianya belum bermula.

Ramai di kalangan pemimpin BN, khususnya Umno menyuarakan bahawa parti-parti komponen BN masih belum bersedia bagi menghadapi keadaan sedemikian kerana ianya terlalu terburu-buru apabila cadangan penggabungan tersebut dikemukakan.

Malah seorang pemimpin kanan Umno Sabah turut memberikan pandangan beliau yang kononnya syak wasangka masih juga timbul di kalangan pemimpin-pemimpin yang berbilang kaum, masing-masing yang selalu bimbang akan kaum mereka diketepikan, tidak diendahkan, terpinggir, berat sebelah di dalam perkongsian kuasa dan sebagainya.

Manakala seorang lagi pemimpin kanan BN daripada Umno turut menyalahkan rakyat jelata yang kononnya masih berfikir mengikut jalur perkauman sehingga pada hari ini.

Masalah utama di sini adalah kenapa pula rakyat jelata harus dipersalahkan dengan politik perkauman di dalam BN yang didapati masih menebal? Kenapa pula para pemimpin BN tidak melihat pada diri mereka sendiri, yang sehingga pada hari ini masih kuat berpegang kepada ideologi-ideologi perkauman dan parti-parti komponen BN masing-masing?

Adalah tidak adil sama sekali bagi para pemimpin BN yang menyalahkan rakyat jelata yang masih berfikir mengikut jalur perkauman pada hari ini. Kalau adapun, itu semuanya adalah berpunca daripada kaedah pecah dan perintah yang diamalkan oleh BN selama ini.

Parti-parti politik yang masih berasaskan pegangan perkauman yang begitu kuat bergabung di bawah BN, kononnya demi perpaduan nasional, tetapi sebenarnya dasar-dasar yang diamalkan oleh kerajaan BN selama ini masih berdasarkan pengasingan mengikut kaum-kaum yang tertentu, bermulalah daripada kaum yang bermajoriti tinggi, diikuti pula dengan kaum yang kedua terbesar, ketiga terbesar dan seterusnya.

Adakah kesemua pendekatan yang dipelopori oleh BN ini dianggap sebagai perpaduan yang sejagat? Tidak sama sekali, ianya merupakan suatu perpecahan yang sebenarnya tidak disedari oleh masyarakat umum. Kita tengoklah kenapa masih ada sistem pendidikan yang beraliran kaum-kaum yang tertentu sehingga pada hari ini? Kenapa pula ada sesuatu Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB) yang hanya mementingkan satu kaum sehingga pada hari ini? Kenapa pula masih ada dasar-dasar dan undang-undang yang berat sebelah, mengutamakan satu kaum sahaja? Kenapa pula masih ada monopoli yang begitu kuat sekali di antara kaum di dalam bidang-bidang ekonomi negara yang tertentu?

Kalaulah para pemimpin BN masih belum lagi matang dari segi perpaduan di antara kaum, janganlah dipersalahkan pula kepada rakyat jelata, kerana yang menentukan dasar-dasar negara ini adalah kerajaan BN. Kalaulah para pemimpin BN masih gagal untuk mencapai kata sepakat bagi pembubaran parti-parti komponen BN masing-masing untuk digabungkan di dalam satu parti tunggal BN, itulah masalah utama mereka yang masih mementingkan diri mereka sendiri.

Sebenarnya, rakyat jelata telahpun bersedia untuk melihat politik di tanah air kita ini digerakkan mengikut naluri pencapaian melalui kaedah persaingan yang sihat, ketelusan, akauntabiliti dan konsep siapa yang berusaha maka dialah yang patut menerimanya. Yang masih menjadi batu penghalang terhadap kesemua impian ini adalah BN.

Janganlah diperalatkan lagi rakyat jelata dengan nafsu-nafsu politik perkauman BN yang hanya mementingkan diri mereka sahaja.

Hill Cutting, Illegal Loggings, Damaged Rivers, Why Are There No Control?

We were gravely shocked and horrified to learned from the recent press reports on the continuous hill cutting in Cameron Highlands in Pahang, Penang and Sarawak. Just imagine what would be the significant impact on the environment in the near future. Apart from hill cuttings which has been rampant for decades, there are also illegal loggings elsewhere especially in Perak and Kedah.

We are now wondering, there are specific laws and Acts which could be used against these culprits and those who had damaged the environment. The problem here is, why are there no enforcement and these culprits are allowed to just expand their hill cuttings and illegal loggings deep into the woods of which had consistently damage the entire environment and water conservation.

What would this cause in the end? None of these business people even bother to look into. Landslides would happen very soon. Just look at Cameron Highlands, it happens whenever there is a heavy downpour. Soil erosion, which would cause sky high buildings to collapse. Examples could be seen at Bukit Antarabangsa and the Highland Towers in Selangor previously. Why hasn't the authorities learn from what had happened previously? There has been so many deaths due to all such incidents and tragedies. Why hasn't any government enact a stricter law or Act in order to protect and conserve our environment in order not to repeat these incidents and tragedies?

Just look at the examples in Cameron Highlands in Pahang. The rape over its hills is happening right before our eyes and there are no urgency to deal with the situation at all despite so many reports and complaints has been made. It is the responsibilities of those in the Land Office, Forestry Department as well as the Local Government Department and the local municipal council there. Are they all sleeping on their job? Where are the enforcement? Why are there no efforts to nab these culprits and bring them to the book?

It shows that there are possibilities of power abuse and corruption involved. That is why there are no proper observation and enforcement into such situation. Those law breakers are not even nabbed even though they are doing all those wrongs in front of our eyes.

Apart from this, the other parts of the states also suffers from the same situation. Look at what happened in Penang, Kedah and Perak? It is not happening two to three years ago, it has been going on for decades.

In Sarawak, it is also happening so blatantly. Hills and villages are also been cut off in order to pave way for some sort of  "industrial development" and the constructions of dams. No only hills and villages are being cut off and damaged, the rivers are also being polluted as the result of such massive developments which has been left unchecked at all.

Despite so many complaints, protest and grievances that are being brought up to the government and relevant authorities for immediate action, nothing has been done to address the people's grievances and the losses of their livelihood.

Various reports has been lodged at the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC), the police, the Department of Environment (DOE) and the Forestry Department. So why still inaction by these authorities? Because the powerful elitist has been involved in such activities?

Well, business and profits comes first. Incidents, deaths and tragedies, are these all collateral damage?

Kabinet baru, arah tuju masih tidak jelas dan kurang kepakaran

Kabinet baru di bawah pimpinan presiden Umno dan pengerusi Barisan Nasional (BN) Najib Razak telahpun diumumkan baru-baru ini. Nampaknya bilangan menteri dan timbalan menteri di dalam barisan kabinet baru ini telah berkurangan jika dibandingkan dengan kabinet yang terdahulu.

Namun demikian, kami berpendapat bahawa arah tuju kabinet baru ini masih kurang jelas. Beberapa kementerian yang bertaburan telah digabungkan, manakala ada pula dikekalkan. Yang menghairankan pihak kami adalah kenapa pula ada beberapa buah kementerian yang sangat memerlukan tenaga sehinggakan dua orang menteri atau lebih untuk mengerjakan portfolio tersebut?

Kementerian yang paling ramai menteri, seperti yang dilaporkan sebelum ini adalah Jabatan Perdana Menteri (JPM), terdapat lapan orang menteri yang berkhidmat di bawah JPM. Apakah peranan yang khusus bagi setiap menteri dalam JPM? Kalaulah menteri-menteri tersebut dilantik berdasarkan beberapa perkara yang khusus, kenapa pula tidak dinamakan menteri-menteri tersebut untuk portfolio-portfolio yang telah dikhususkan itu? Contohnya adalah seperti hal-ehwal undang-undang dan parlimen; pencegahan rasuah dan pembaharuan dalam kerajaan; keagamaan dan perhubunngan di antara kaum dan agama; hal-ehwal Sabah dan Sarawak; perancangan ekonomi dan sebagainya.

Di antara menteri-menteri dalam JPM tersebut, terdapat tiga orang yang bukan dari kalangan ahli politik tetapi lebih kepada golongan teknokrat. Jika sekiranya ahli-ahli teknokrat ini yang mempunyai kepakaran yang tertentu dilantik sebagai menteri, kenapa pula tidak mengatur tugasan mereka terus ke kementerian-kementerian yang khusus yang benar-benar memerlukan kepakaran mereka, seperti kementerian kewangan; kementerian perdagangan antarabangsa dan industri; kementerian sains, teknologi dan inovasi; serta menggantikan kementerian-kementerian yang lama dan tidak efektif dengan kementerian-kementerian yang baru yang boleh mengkhusus keseluruhan tenaganya terhadap beberapa siri transformasi kerajaan, seperti pembenterasan rasuah, salahguna kuasa dan penyelewengan; pemulihan integriti badan-badan penguatkuasa seperti Polis Diraja Malaysia, Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia, serta lain-lain agensi-agensi yang berkaitan.

Kenapa pula ianya harus dipusatkan ke hanya JPM sahaja? Kerana Najib tidak inginkan tugasan tersebut dikhususkan mengikut portfolio kementerian agar beliau dapat memerhati secara langsung. Masalahnya adalah, adakah beliau mempunyai masa yang mencukupi untuk memerhati keseluruhan tugasan menteri-menteri tersebut dengan berkesan, sedangkan beliau adalah juga seorang menteri kewangan pertama.

Ya, berkenaan dengan kementerian kewangan, kenapa pula perdana menteri masih ingin menguasai terus kementerian tersebut tanpa memberikan kepercayaan terus kepada seorang menteri sahaja. Jikalau ahli politik itu tidak beberapa pakar mengenai bidang ekonomi dan kewangan, serahkan sahaja kepada seorang teknokrat yang pakar seperti bekas tokoh bank, Abdul Wahid Omar. Tak perlu dua orang menteri kewangan untuk menguruskan perbendaharaan negara. Tengoklah negara-negara maju seperti Jepun, Korea Selatan dan Amerika, atapun negara China yang begitu besar, negara-negara ini hanya mempunyai seorang menteri kewangan sahaja.

Satu lagi kementerian yang mendapat perhatian adalah kementerian pelajaran dan pengajian tinggi yang pada asalnya terdiri daripada dua kementerian yang berasingan. Kenapa pula ianya memerlukan dua orang menteri untuk mengurusakannya? Pada peringkat awal kedua-dua portfolio ini sememangnya terletak di dalam satu kementerian sahaja. Terlalu banyak sekolah dan institusi pengajian tinggi untuk diuruskan? Ahli-ahli politik tidak mempunyai kepakaran yang mencukupi untuk menguruskan kementerian tersebut, ataupun lain-lain kekurangan yang tidak dapat dipastikan?

Jika sekiranya kerajaan BN serius dengan program transformasinya, sepatutnya mereka lebih teliti di dalam perkara tersebut dengan mendapatkan lebih ramai tenaga pakar daripada golongan teknokrat yang mempunyai pengkhususan di dalam bidang-bidang tertentu daripada membiarkan sahaja program-program tersebut diuruskan oleh ahli-ahli politik yang tidak tahu mengurusnya ataupun asyik mempolitikkan peranannya di media umum tanpa melakasanakan sebarang langkah-langkah yang berkesan.

Bagi membolehkan golongan teknokrat ini menganggotai jemaah menteri, seharusnya mempnyai satu kelonggaran daripada mewajibkan seseorang calon itu menjadi ahli dewan negara (senator) terlebih dahulu. Jikalau ianya adalah merupakan keperluan perlembagaan, maka ianya perlu dipinda bagi membolehkan perlantikan secara terus dilakukan tanpa perlu melalui saluran politik yang begitu padat.

Apa gunanya jika sekiranya sesebuah kerajaan asyik mengketengahkan program-program transformasinya, namum tidak dapat mencapai tujuan tersebut dengan berkesan oleh kerana sistem ataupun undang-undang yang sedia ada, jelas menghadkan perlaksanaan tersebut.

Kita ambil contoh beberapa negara-negara maju seperti Korea Selatan, Amerika dan negara China, menteri-menteri mereka adalah dilantik daripada kalangan golongan teknokrat dan mereka-mereka ini adalah menteri-menteri sepenuh masa tanpa perlu dibebani tugas-tugas sebagai ahli parlimen atau kongres (wakil rakyat). Boleh tak negara kita mencuba sistem kabinet sedemikian rupa? Pengurusan kerajaan, biarkanlah golongan teknokrat yang membantu perdana menteri, manakala ahli-ahli parlimen menumpukan sepenuh perhatian mereka di dalam hal-ehwal parlimen (jawatankuasa-jawatankuasa khas memerhati prestasi dan pencapaian portfolio-portfolio) dan juga tugas-tugas mereka sebagai wakil-wakil rakyat di kawasan masing-masing.

Sistem tersebut ada juga kebaikan. Ianya boleh mengelakkan daripada berlaku konflik di antara tugas dan politik yang sering bertentangan (conflict of interests), dan pada masa yang sama ianya juga dapat menghindar gejala rasuah dan peyelewengan daripada berleluasa di dalam kerajaan oleh kerana nafsu ingin mengutamakan kepentingan politik diri masing-masing.

Walaubagaimanapun, kita biarkan sahaja kerajaan ini melaksanakan tugas dan tanggungjawabnya terlebih dahulu. Sambil mereka menjalankan tugasan mereka, kita, sebagai rakyat dan pengundi, yang perlu memerhati setiap prestasi dan pencapaian mereka dengan lebih teliti.

PRU13 Sudah Berlalu, Namun Politik Masih Dipermain-mainkan

Pilihanraya umum ke-13 (PRU13) telahpun berlalu. Yang menang, tetapi menang dengan tipis, yang kalah namun dapat menambahkan kerusinya dengan kadar peratusan undi baginya telahpun meningkat. Yang sepatutnya diteruskan adalah agenda pembangunan dan ekonomi negara, namun nampaknya politik masih asyik dipermainkan di kedua-dua belah pihak.

Di pihak Barisan Nasional (BN), Umno yang berjaya menambah bilangan kerusinya terus mengasak gabungan parti-parti pembangkang, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) yang kononnya mereka telah berjaya meracuni pemikiran rakyat sehinggakan majoriti rakyat telah mengalihkan undi mereka kepada PR. Tidak kurang daripada itu, Umno juga turut memainkan sentimen perkauman sekali lagi dengan menyatakan keputusan PRU13 baru-baru ini jelas menunjukkan bahawa "Tsunami Cina" telah berlaku apabila rakan kongsi di dalam BN iaitu, MCA, Gerakan dan SUPP semakin kecundang kerana masyarakat Cina enggan menyokong ketiga-tiga parti komponen BN tersebut walaupun pelbagai insentif, bantuan dan inisiatif telah disampaikan kepada masyarakat tersebut.

Di pihak MCA pula, apakah tindakbalas mereka yang seterusnya? Mereka merasa sungguh "kecewa" dengan "perbuatan" masyarakat Cina pada keseluruhannya telah memulau mereka di dalam PRU13 yang lalu. Oleh itu, MCA di kebanyakan negeri dan kawasan bertindak menutup terus pejabat-pejabat dan pusat-pusat perkhidmatan mereka, serta meletakkan semua jawatan-jawatan kerajaan mereka sebagai menunjukkan rasa tidak puashati mereka terhadap masyarakat Cina yang telah mereka "jasai" selama ini.

Malah di peringkat tertinggi MCA pula, rasa tidak puashati para pemimpin parti terhadap presiden MCA Dr Chua Soi Lek mula kedengaran dari setiap sudut, masing-masing menyeru Dr Chua agar tidak lagi menunggu  pemilihan parti yang akan datang, sebaliknya meletakkan jawatannya sebagai presiden parti dengan serta merta sebagai memperakui tanggungjawabnya terhadap kekalahan teruk MCA di dalam PRU13.

Turut menekan dengan hebat adalah golongan veteran MCA yang telah berkumpul baru-baru ini untuk memperhebatkan tekanan mereka terhadap Dr Chua dengan menyatakan bahawa presiden parti itu sudah menjadi semakin tidak popular di kalangan ahli-ahli parti berdasarkan cara kepimpinannya yang tidak telus dan demokratik, di samping itu turut mementingkan kroni-kroninya di dalam parti dan kerajaan tanpa mengutamakan kepentingan parti pada keseluruhannya.

Manakala di dalam Gerakan pula, keseluruhan jentera parti tersebut terhenti dengan begitu sahaja di seluruh negara berikutan kekalahan teruknya di dalam PRU13 yang lalu. Pengerusi BN Pulau Pinang yang juga Setiausaha Agung Gerakan Teng Chang Yeow telah bertindak meletakkan semua jawatannya dalam parti akibat kekalahan BN Pulau Pinang. Begitu juga dengan Setiausaha Gerakan Pulau Pinang Goh Kheng Sneah yang turut melepaskan semua jawatannya dalam parti kerana terlalu kecewa dengan kekalahan dalam PRU13 yang lalu.

Apa pula kata atau tindakan Presiden Gerakan Dr Koh Tsu Koon? Beliau masih lagi membisu sejak daripada malam 5hb Mei 2013 lagi dan masih belum lagi mengeluarkan kenyataan rasmi bagi pihak parti berhubung dengan keputusan PRU13 yang dialami oleh Gerakan baru-baru ini. Kekecewaan di kalangan ahli-ahli Gerakan mengenai keputusan PRU13 jelas terpapar, apabila ramai di kalangan mereka telahpun bertindak menutup pusat-pusat perkhidmatan parti, khususnya di negeri Pulau Pinang dengan serta merta kerana telah kehilangan semangat untuk terus berjuang setelah ditolak mentah-mentah sekali oleh rakyat pada minggu yang lalu.

Justeru daripada itu, ramai yang tertanya-tanya, adakah Gerakan kini sedang menuju ke arah pembekuan atau "cold storage" kerana masih belum pasti lagi apakah tindakan susulan yang perlu parti tersebut buat selepas PRU13 itu? Ramai ahli-ahli Gerakan turut berada di ambang tidak menentu berikutan sikap para pemimpin parti yang terus membisu dan tidak ada arah tuju yang jelas. Malah yang hairannya tidak ada ahli-ahli parti yang berani mendesak agar pemimpin tertinggi parti berundur, seperti apa yang sedang berlaku pada MCA sekarang.

Yang jelas, tetapi kurang jelas di mata umum, Gerakan kini berada di ambang pembekuan. Persoalannya adalah patutkah Gerakan mengundurkan diri mereka daripada gabungan BN? Hakikatnya adalah ramai ahli-ahli parti mahukan Gerakan berbuat demikian, namum pemimpin tertingginya masih berdegil masih ingin terus bersama dengan gabungan BN.

Manaka di negeri Sarawak pula, parti komponen BN negeri kedua terbesar, SUPP turut mengalami nasib yang sama seperti rakan-rakannya di Semenanjung, MCA dan Gerakan. Akibat kekalahan tersebut baru-baru ini, para pemimpin SUPP mula menyalahkan masyarakat Cina di negeri tersebut kerana "tidak terhutang budi" sambil mengancam bahawa hak-hak masyarakat Cina di negeri Sarawak akan hilang terus jika kerajaan negeri yang akan datang tidak diwakilkan oleh SUPP lagi. Rasa tidak puashati di kalangan pemimpin SUPP tempatan terhadap presiden parti mereka yang berpusat di Kuala Lumpur turut terasa namun sehingga kini masih tidak ada lagi tentangan secara terbuka.

Hampir pada setiap hari lamanya, sejak daripada 6hb Mei lagi, akhbar-akhbar serta media-media utama milik kerajaan asyik mengasak masyarakat Cina kerana pada majoritinya mereka telah memilih PR untuk mewakili mereka walaupun, parti-parti komponen BN yang mewakili masyarakat Cina telah banyak melakukan "jasa" mereka terhadap golongan tersebut.

Di sebelah PR pula, parti-parti komponennya turut tidak terkecuali daripada masalah politik dalaman masing-masing. Setelah berjaya mengekalkan Pulau Pinang, Selangor dan Kelantan, serta dapat mengasak masuk ke dalam Johor, Negri Sembilan dan Melaka, tetapi kalah di negeri Kedah dan berjaya mengekalkan kuasa yang cukup seimbang dengan pihak BN di Perak, kepimpinan PR masih tertanya-tanya sama ada siapakah akan dilantik menjadi Ketua Pembangkang Parlimen yang baru.

Negeri PR yang pertama telah mengangkat sumpah untuk berkerajaan adalah Pulau Pinang. Setakat ini, hanya Pulau Pinang sahaja yang berjaya diperkukuhkan kedudukannya dengan DAP sebagai peneraju utama kerajaan PR negeri tersebut. Di negeri Selangor pula, walaupun PR negeri berjaya menguatkan kedudukannya, namum parti komponen utama PR, iaitu PKR masih dibelenggu dengan politik berpuak-puak dalam parti tersebut dan keadaan masih lagi tidak menentu mengenai siapakah yang akan menjawat jawatan Menteri Besar.

Di negeri Kelantan pula, ianya menyaksikan persaraan Menteri Besar yang lalu dan digantikan pula dengan seorang pemimpin baru. Masalah ditambah pula apabila orang nombor dua terkuat di dalam PAS Kelantan Husam Musa tidak terdapat di dalam senarai baru Ahli-ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri (Exco), lantas daripada itu, telah menimbulan rasa tidak puashati merek di kalangan para pengikut setia Husam.

Di negeri Kedah pula, masalah dalaman PAS telah menjadi antara salah satu daripada penyebab utama mengapa kerajaan pimpinan parti tersebut kalah di dalam PRU13 yang lalu. Faktor-faktor yang paling utamanya adalah agenda-agenda Hududnya yang cuba dilaksanakan di negeri tersebut, ditambah pula dengan perbalahan dikalangan ahli-ahli Exco negeri sebelumnya dengan Menteri Besar. Di samping itu, PKR Kedah turut tidak terlepas daripada perbalahan di antara puak dalam parti tersebut yang juga telah menyebabkan ramai di antara ahli-ahli dan para penyokong parti tersebut tidak keluar mengundi pada PRU13 yang lalu.

Akhirnya sekali, di pihak DAP pula, boleh dikatakan parti tersebut adalah merupakan komponen PR yang paling berjaya di dalam PRU13 kali ini kerana dengan penambahan jumlah kerusi-kerusi parlimen dan dewan undangan negeri yang ditandingi dan dimenanginya setelah berjaya menumbangkan ketiga-ketiga parti gergasi dalam BN, iaitu MCA, Gerakan dan SUPP dalam satu pilihanraya sekaligus, suatu kejayaan yang cukup membanggakan yang tidak pernah dialaminya sebelum ini.

Persoalannya di sini adalah sama ada DAP secara rasminya telah mengambil-alih peranan MCA, Gerakan dan SUPP sebagai wakil masyarakat Cina, ataupun masyarakat Cina serta kaum-kaum lain di negara ini telahpun mengorak langkah untuk keluar daripada politik perkauman, masih menjadi tanda tanya kerana rakyat jelata yang menyokong DAP kebanyakannya belum lagi menunjukkan kemantapan mereka terhadap identiti Bangsa Malaysia.

Mungkinkah sokongan rakyat terhadap DAP baru-baru ini hanya berdasarkan emosi dan ingin mencuba yang baru setelah MCA, Gerakan dan SUPP serta BN telah gagal di mata mereka? Oleh itu, untuk mengekalkan sokongan rakyat jelata terhadap DAP, parti tersebut perlu mengkaji dan mempelajari apa yang telah dan sedang berlaku di dalam MCA, Gerakan dan SUPP bagi mengelakkan DAP itu sendiri daripada terjerumus di dalam kancah seperti apa yang sedang dialami oleh lawannya sekarang.

Untuk itu, DAP juga perlu belajar menerima hakikat bahawa parti tersebut perlulah sentiasa berubah dari masa ke semasa di dalam tempoh yang singkat bagi mengejar perubahan masa dan minda rakyat yang kini semakin memberikan penekanan terhadap pencapaian daripada mengikuti sejarah dan jasa para pemimpin yang lalu.

Di dalam menghadapi kejayaan yang besar kali ini, DAP tidak juga terkecuali daripada politik dan perbalahan di antara puak dalam parti tersebut. Setakat ini, yang kita dapat lihat pada hari ini adalah kumpulan yang diterajui oleh Setiausaha Agungnya Lim Guan Eng adalah merupakan golongan yang paling kuat, sambil diikuti dengan kumpulan yang seterusnya yang dipimpin oleh Datuk Teng Chang Khim (di negeri Selangor) dan Dr Boo Cheng Hau (di negeri Johor), serta gabungan sepupu Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham dan Ngar Kor Ming yang menguasai Perak.

Nampaknya kejayaan besar DAP kali ini turut menyaksikan penambahan masalah dalaman parti tersebut, oleh kerana jumlah keahlian parti tersebut dijangka akan terus meningkat, begitu juga dengan puak-puak yang ingin mengejar kuasa dan kedudukan dalam parti akan turut bertambah. Terpulanglah dengan pucuk pimpinan parti tersebut mengenai cara yang paling berkesan untuk menguruskan keadaan tersebut.

Di dalam kedua-dua BN dan PR, politik berpolitik serta perbalahan dalaman sememangnya tidak dapat dielakkan dengan sepenuhnya kerana di dalam senario politik pada hari ini, PR boleh juga dikatakan telah berjaya mengimbangi BN di dalam peratusan sokongan dan undi yang diperolehi. Ini bermakna, rakyat jelata telah mula yakin agar kedudukan dan kebolehan PR untuk menandingi BN dan berkerajaan pada masa yang akan datang.

Ini bermakna rakyat tidak akan teragak-agak lagi untuk menyokong parti-parti pembangkang secara terbuka  oleh kerana sudah terdapat perseimbangan kuasa di antara BN dan PR sekarang. Walaubagaimanapun, konteks rakyat perlu diutamakanyang sebenarnya itu, masih tidak lagi jelas sama ada ianya dari BN ataupun PR. Bergantunglah kepada keselesaan dan kepuasan rakyat jelata terhadap keadaan tersebut.

Hakikatnya, di dalam keadaan politik dan senario, serta permintaan rakyat yang telah menjadi semkin kompleks pada hari ini, kajian demi kajian yang menyeluruh seharusnya dilaksanakan dengan lebih kerap lagi bagi memastikan dasar-dasar umum yang diperkenal dan dilaksanakan itu tidak terlanjur daripada kehendak rakyat jelata.