Last night, I attended the Forum Perdana Kemenangan Sibu that was organized by Pakatan Rakyat. It was held at the Penang Chinese Town Hall and about 80% full. I was quite surprised to see that it was attended by mainly those above 40 years of age. What happened to the youth? I should have been happy after listening to the speeches and presentations of the various speakers but I left the hall with a heavy heart. Whilst I am very happy that DAP won the Sibu election, I am a tad worried that they are a bit carried away in their euphoria and jumping to conclusions that they can march to Putrajaya so easily. I hope more concrete plans can be put into action instead of just relishing the Sibu victory. There is a lot of work that must be done!
The evening began with the opening speech by Chow Kon Yeow (MP for Tanjung) @ 8p.m. Following that, MP Chong Eng shared her experiences at the Sibu by-election campaign trail. She opined that the Sibu by-election is akin to a mid-term review for Pakatan Rakyat. She also shared about how if PR can win Sibu, they can win PR and that PR wants to show that they are different from other leadership because PR is for everyone. She said that BN is like the setting sun whilst PR is the rising sun and that the rakyat should choose PR for a good future.
The next speaker was Tunku Aziz, Senator for Penang and also VP in DAP. He began his speech by telling the audience that Sibu made history for DAP and DAP made history for DAP by breaking the stronghold of BN there. Even though the win was with a small majority of 398 votes, he argued that it was a very important victory because DAP went into battle without much $$$ but with hopes and dreams for the people of Sibu. He said Sibuans believed in our message despite the fact that the PM went to Sibu like Santa Claus with all kinds of gifts and promises.
Tunku Aziz said that the victory was very significant because it has given PR a lot of encouragement that in spite of all the difficulties, PR can take on the government of BN and head towards victory because the people there want fair play and justice and to govern the country together.
Tunk Aziz reiterated that the government that PR wants to establish is one that has never been seen in the last 53 years of the nation's existence. It will be the beginning of a new Malaysia. After that, he spoke about the offers to help the Sibuans in terms of the millions offered. Tunku Aziz said that it would have been a different scenario if it had been PR which had made those offers. He emphasized that we cannot have two sets of laws but only one law for EVERYONE and that this same low must apply to the highest and the lowest with no special concessions for anyone and that was a promise. He also said that PR will not tolerate any form of discrimination whatsoever.
Tunku Aziz said that the next government of Malaysia will be a PR government and that this is no longer a dream. He said that it might have been a dream some years ago but the Sibu win shows that nothing is impossible if we try our level best. He ended his speech by saying, "Give us a few more wins like Sibu and we will be governing the country together."
Following that, MP Liew Chin Tong gave his speech in two parts - a ppt presentation of the events at the Sibu by-election trail and also an analysis of the win. First of all, he said that it is wrong to think that Sibu would be an easy win just because 67% of the electorate are Chinese. This is due to the nature of Sarawakian politics. The first obstacle is that most of the employers are conglomerates who are affiliated to the status quo. The second obstacle was the stark poverty of Ibans. MP Liew explained how even one Astro staff came out from a longhouse in tears at the horror of the living conditions of the people in the interior. Then he explained how the headman of each longhouse (who is given a monthly allowance of 450rm by BN) has the power to exert social control over the others so it was quite difficult to penetrate the people there. Thereafter, he highlighted the various problems faced by different communities in Sibu including the Malays and Melanaus.
MP Liew emphasized that all we need in the next election is a 10% swing in favor of PR to win. In 1999, BN won 57% of votes while in 2004, BN won 64% of votes and in 2008, BN only won 51% of votes. This means that there was a 13% swing of votes in favor or PR in the last elections. MP Liew concluded that the Sibu victory opens up the very real possibility of PR in Putrajaya.
Then, MP Liew shared the five key issues that were the campaign messages of DAP.
1. CM Taib has been in power for too long.
2. Without CAT, transparency, accountability and open tenders, problems in Sibu such as floods can never be solved.
3. Opportunities are in the hands of CMS (Cahaya Mata Sarawak) which is controlled by obvious characters.
4.Without a two-party system, there can be no possibility of change.
5. DAP could not deliver in the past because it was not in government but when in government such as in Penang, they can deliver so Sibuans must give DAP a chance.
MP Liew shared two major turning points in the campaign:
1. PM's visit to Sibu whereby he was supposed to lead the Tua Peh Kong procession but instead, appeared for three minutes and lifted one finger in the air and then disappeared with the convoy of 100 cars. Thereafter, PR supporters marched with the procession and shook hands all the way with the 15 000 people gathered there that night.
2. The fireworks that were released that night by a conglomerate celebrating a dinner gave those present a symbol of hope that things would take a turn for the better.
MP Liew then shared the advertisement strategy for the Sibu campaign, emphasizing that they were only allowed to advertise in the Chinese press.
After that, MP for Kuching Chong Chieng Jen gave his speech and explained how after the PM's famous offer speech, there was a swing of 7% in support of DAP . He explained that the Iban support for PR dropped from 26% to 23%.
The next speakers were Dr. Dzulkefly, MP for Kuala Selangor who explained that the Sibu win was the sweetest victory that represented a miracle because of the rakyat and the Almighty. He said that the Sibu by-election saw the perfect execution of the strategy of PR working together. Next was Prof. Dr. Ramachandran (CM II of Penang) who gave a very spirited speech. Finally, CM of Penang Lim Guan Eng spoke at length for thirty minutes about various topics including the 30-point achievement in Penang.
The event ended very late at past 11pm.
I left the hall feeling very concerned. Whilst it is good to ride on the wave of victory, I believe PR must get real and realize that they have to win the Iban support and that of other communities if they want to make the Putrajaya dream come true. I sincerely hope that they will quickly draw up their blueprint for the next state elections in Sarawak and GE too and to see how they can harness the support of ALL Malaysians in both West Malaysia and East Malaysia. They also need to be prepared for more attacks from the enemy.
Please do not look to the past and do not rest on past glories. Build the foundation for the future, PR. We want to see you offering men and women of honor for elections. We want to see you telling us what you can do for all of us - concrete plans - which have to be communicated to the people of Sarawak and Sabah too, especially those in the interior. Lots of work to be done, lots of resources are needed and lots of foot soldiers too.
Malaysians, let us make that dream a reality. Whoever you are, whatever your skill or availability, avail yourself to a PR component party and volunteer to help. They really need to walk with the people...All have to get cracking - the rakyat and Pakatan Rakyat.
Hand in hand, we can make it!!!
The evening began with the opening speech by Chow Kon Yeow (MP for Tanjung) @ 8p.m. Following that, MP Chong Eng shared her experiences at the Sibu by-election campaign trail. She opined that the Sibu by-election is akin to a mid-term review for Pakatan Rakyat. She also shared about how if PR can win Sibu, they can win PR and that PR wants to show that they are different from other leadership because PR is for everyone. She said that BN is like the setting sun whilst PR is the rising sun and that the rakyat should choose PR for a good future.
The next speaker was Tunku Aziz, Senator for Penang and also VP in DAP. He began his speech by telling the audience that Sibu made history for DAP and DAP made history for DAP by breaking the stronghold of BN there. Even though the win was with a small majority of 398 votes, he argued that it was a very important victory because DAP went into battle without much $$$ but with hopes and dreams for the people of Sibu. He said Sibuans believed in our message despite the fact that the PM went to Sibu like Santa Claus with all kinds of gifts and promises.
Tunku Aziz said that the victory was very significant because it has given PR a lot of encouragement that in spite of all the difficulties, PR can take on the government of BN and head towards victory because the people there want fair play and justice and to govern the country together.
Tunk Aziz reiterated that the government that PR wants to establish is one that has never been seen in the last 53 years of the nation's existence. It will be the beginning of a new Malaysia. After that, he spoke about the offers to help the Sibuans in terms of the millions offered. Tunku Aziz said that it would have been a different scenario if it had been PR which had made those offers. He emphasized that we cannot have two sets of laws but only one law for EVERYONE and that this same low must apply to the highest and the lowest with no special concessions for anyone and that was a promise. He also said that PR will not tolerate any form of discrimination whatsoever.
Tunku Aziz said that the next government of Malaysia will be a PR government and that this is no longer a dream. He said that it might have been a dream some years ago but the Sibu win shows that nothing is impossible if we try our level best. He ended his speech by saying, "Give us a few more wins like Sibu and we will be governing the country together."
Following that, MP Liew Chin Tong gave his speech in two parts - a ppt presentation of the events at the Sibu by-election trail and also an analysis of the win. First of all, he said that it is wrong to think that Sibu would be an easy win just because 67% of the electorate are Chinese. This is due to the nature of Sarawakian politics. The first obstacle is that most of the employers are conglomerates who are affiliated to the status quo. The second obstacle was the stark poverty of Ibans. MP Liew explained how even one Astro staff came out from a longhouse in tears at the horror of the living conditions of the people in the interior. Then he explained how the headman of each longhouse (who is given a monthly allowance of 450rm by BN) has the power to exert social control over the others so it was quite difficult to penetrate the people there. Thereafter, he highlighted the various problems faced by different communities in Sibu including the Malays and Melanaus.
MP Liew emphasized that all we need in the next election is a 10% swing in favor of PR to win. In 1999, BN won 57% of votes while in 2004, BN won 64% of votes and in 2008, BN only won 51% of votes. This means that there was a 13% swing of votes in favor or PR in the last elections. MP Liew concluded that the Sibu victory opens up the very real possibility of PR in Putrajaya.
Then, MP Liew shared the five key issues that were the campaign messages of DAP.
1. CM Taib has been in power for too long.
2. Without CAT, transparency, accountability and open tenders, problems in Sibu such as floods can never be solved.
3. Opportunities are in the hands of CMS (Cahaya Mata Sarawak) which is controlled by obvious characters.
4.Without a two-party system, there can be no possibility of change.
5. DAP could not deliver in the past because it was not in government but when in government such as in Penang, they can deliver so Sibuans must give DAP a chance.
MP Liew shared two major turning points in the campaign:
1. PM's visit to Sibu whereby he was supposed to lead the Tua Peh Kong procession but instead, appeared for three minutes and lifted one finger in the air and then disappeared with the convoy of 100 cars. Thereafter, PR supporters marched with the procession and shook hands all the way with the 15 000 people gathered there that night.
2. The fireworks that were released that night by a conglomerate celebrating a dinner gave those present a symbol of hope that things would take a turn for the better.
MP Liew then shared the advertisement strategy for the Sibu campaign, emphasizing that they were only allowed to advertise in the Chinese press.
After that, MP for Kuching Chong Chieng Jen gave his speech and explained how after the PM's famous offer speech, there was a swing of 7% in support of DAP . He explained that the Iban support for PR dropped from 26% to 23%.
The next speakers were Dr. Dzulkefly, MP for Kuala Selangor who explained that the Sibu win was the sweetest victory that represented a miracle because of the rakyat and the Almighty. He said that the Sibu by-election saw the perfect execution of the strategy of PR working together. Next was Prof. Dr. Ramachandran (CM II of Penang) who gave a very spirited speech. Finally, CM of Penang Lim Guan Eng spoke at length for thirty minutes about various topics including the 30-point achievement in Penang.
The event ended very late at past 11pm.
I left the hall feeling very concerned. Whilst it is good to ride on the wave of victory, I believe PR must get real and realize that they have to win the Iban support and that of other communities if they want to make the Putrajaya dream come true. I sincerely hope that they will quickly draw up their blueprint for the next state elections in Sarawak and GE too and to see how they can harness the support of ALL Malaysians in both West Malaysia and East Malaysia. They also need to be prepared for more attacks from the enemy.
Please do not look to the past and do not rest on past glories. Build the foundation for the future, PR. We want to see you offering men and women of honor for elections. We want to see you telling us what you can do for all of us - concrete plans - which have to be communicated to the people of Sarawak and Sabah too, especially those in the interior. Lots of work to be done, lots of resources are needed and lots of foot soldiers too.
Malaysians, let us make that dream a reality. Whoever you are, whatever your skill or availability, avail yourself to a PR component party and volunteer to help. They really need to walk with the people...All have to get cracking - the rakyat and Pakatan Rakyat.
Hand in hand, we can make it!!!
Anonymous Good reading. It is time to work even harder and bunker in for the long haul. dUMNO will not be taking this Sibu loss lying down but definitely plotting how to cheat even more deviously.
Pakatan needs to muster all its supporters, organise each of them to recruite, 'turn over' the fence sitters and the indifferent to become knowledgeable citizen voters.