*Creaks* The door opens and lo and behold, who does she see?
Two officials with two documents in their hands asking for the person-in-charge.
Now is that the opening gambit of a novel I am writing? Nope. It is a fictionalized account from my fertile imagination of what might have happened this afternoon at the DAP headquarters in Petaling Jaya.
Malaysiakini reports HERE that DAP's The Rocket was not spared by the Home Ministry in the ongoing crackdown on party organs of opposition parties. Two Home Ministry officials visited the DAP headquarters in Petaling Jaya this afternoon and handed two show-cause letters to Rocket's Chinese-language editor, one for the English edition and the other for the Chinese edition asking the party organ to explain within seven days why it continues publishing the two versions although their publication permits have expired. If the explanation is rejected by the powerful ministry, The Rocket could face suspension.
According to Malaysiakini, the permit for the English version of the DAP mouthpiece expired last month, whereas the licences for the Malay- and Chinese-language editions respectively expired in September and November last year. The fate for the Rocket's Malay edition is hanging in the air.
As we all know, two other opposition party organs have run into trouble - PKR's Suara Keadilan was suspended last week while PAS' Harakah is being issued two show-cause letters.
Also, PKR Supreme Council Member, Badrul Hisham Shaharin , who is also known as cikgu Bard,was detained at the Seremban Police headquarters last week.
Obviously, the bells are tolling and the muzzling has begun. Proponents of democracy believe that archaic methods of tight control which will not work in a borderless world. Such overtures are sending a different message to the populace and what are the deeper implications with regards to reporting? We can wonder and wonder and may never know the answers because once again, the sword of Damocles is hanging over our heads.
For whom are the bells tolling and what might happen next?
12 comments to FOR WHOM ARE THE BELLS TOLLING?
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KoSong Cafe Family Wealth cannot be maintained for 3 generations or something to that effect.
Does it apply to political dynasties? We have second and third generations running the show now. Seems desperate to wield power to maintain hold, but likely to have opposite effects.
Original qualities in first generation giving way to pampered life styles and false sense of popularity and control.
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Anonymous I noticed similarities in BN's recent actions and Sun Tzu's Art of War.
I feel it is time for Pakatan to set up a Military Council to map political and physchological warfare strategies based on Sun Tzu's concepts to counter the BN onslaught.
BN has already begun their war machinery. It is no longer a war of words. They are now putting their war plans into physical action. BN knows that they have lost the media war and they will do anything and everything to search and destroy Pakatan's information structures.
Pakatan must not delay. This is a serious matter and they must deal with this onslaught with the utmost urgency. Verbally condemning BN is not enough.
StraightTalking
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Anonymous If you have not noticed yet, BN has been systematically, using Sun Tzu's war concepts to battle and/or neutralize the opposition. Now let's review and analyze their moves...
Their first strategy was to plant moles in the enemy's camp to collect or steal important enemy secrets. this is an important prelude to BN's future war plans. A few moles have since surfaced and gone back to the mothership.
Next they used a "win them over" plan and went on to buy whoever can be bought. More than a few have since crossed over to BN.
Next they zeroed in on sympathizers - Silence them. Harass those who speak well of the opposition. Arrest and charge those who speak bad of the government. A few became victims, including our Number One patriot, RPK. This too back-fired as public outcry and sympathy grew even stronger.
Next, they banned or disrupt candle-lit vigils, meetings, and even peaceful demonstrations or ceramahs. This too didn't work as the Internet became an effective alternate medium to disseminate and access information. While only a few anti-government supporters are seen in the open, cyberspace became the daily meeting place for anti-government forums and exchange of information. Many sites offered "breaking news" on percieved corruption and other misdeeds of BN that has caused, and still causing, considerable damage and embarassment to BN. There seem to be no one talking but the noise is deafening.
Next they went on to discredit the enemy. Whether there is proof or not, arrest and charge for perceived corruption and publicize even if the charge could not stand in a court of law. That didn't help as all were eventually cleared of any wrongdoings. In the course, however, one brave man lost his life unfortunately. This obviously had a negative impact on BN.
Now they are on a search and destroy mission. Ban all enemy information structures and official publications. This obviously won't help but it's worth trying.
It don't take a 4-star general to see that BN, while seemingly in control with an upperhand, is in fact showing signs of desparation like a hungry animal. It knows it has to feed and it will fight to its death for the meat or it dies.
Pakatan should not only defend. The enemy, although ferocious, is now at its weakest.
It is time to attack.
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Anonymous It is a prelude to bigger events coming head-on. Remember the dark days of 1987 ? Where the fight of rights amongst the youths of both component parties lead to a massive clampdown on the opposition parties and even social activist.
Well, it all starts with the media spinning overtime and certain parties fighting over the issue of who can be more Malaysians. The scenario now is almost as similar but just that they can no longer "do it their ways" so to speak.
With borderless world now the task to muzzle their opponents printed info/news is not that easy. We can receive it via many forms and may the anger of the citizens translate into votes to show them that we cannot be cowed. The rights of the people for free and fair vote cannot be compromised.
We can choose with no restriction who we want in Parliament or state to represent us and no amount of threat can thwart that desire.
People far and near, be informed that the bell for election is near as the muzzling of medias is a prelude to that. They worried that the people knew too much of the corruptions and wanton abuses of power. The tide of change cannot be contained anymore as they have lost their rights to rule with the Never Ending Plundering of the nation wealth. Vote wisely, ya.
~ahoo~
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Unknown Dear ~wits0~
That is a brilliant comment, my friend. Very classy, insightful and so close to reality. Thanks for sharing.
Take care and have a great day!
Cheers
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Unknown Dear Kosong Cafe
Thanks for the allusion to the three generation principle. Sadly, it also seems to apply to political dynasties and we see some clinging on for dear life even though their shelf lives have long expired.
And to think that some are silly enough to continue to vote the same people with their *clears throat* 'remarkable' record.
Sighs.
Take care and have a great day!
Cheers
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Unknown Dear StraightTalking
Many thanks for your perceptive and insightful comment.
I do agree with your suggestion wrt establishing a Council to counter the BN attacks.
PR is at a distinct disadvantage in that they lack $$, foresight, expert consultants and short-term/long-term strategies.
There is a lot of hot air and not much substance and that could be their undoing.
Take care and thanks for sharing. I hope someone out there will note your suggestions/observations and do something about it.
Have a great day!
Warmest wishes
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Unknown Dear Anon @ 4.48p.m.
What a brilliant comment you have shared here! Awesome and spellbinding indeed.
Could I humbly request for permission to repost your comment as a stand-alone post?
Do let me know. I will await your royal instructions. :-)
Thanks so much.
Take care and have a great day.
Cheers
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Unknown Dear ahoo
Thank you so much for another 5-star comment! May I also humbly request your permission to repost your comment separately in another post?
I believe it would awaken and enlighten many.
I will not do anything until I hear from you and will respect your decision.
Thanks a lot. Take care and have a blessed day!
Cheers
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Anonymous Just some cents worth of comment and do go ahead with reposting iot as you deem fit.
The time of their denial syndrome is ever so alarming for the bn people. They have lost whatever credibility they have had on many fronts with unaccounted plundering and still have the cheek to ask the people to trust their sloganeering.
At least in the olden days, "ali & baba" robbed from the rich to give to the poor but we have the super rich robbing from the poor. They are literally making hay while the sun still shines. Let us checkmate them right and proper and give them a stinging smash, can ah ?
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Unknown Dear Anon @ 4.31pm
Many thanks for allowing me to repost your comment which has generated some discussion.
Thanks again for this input which is indeed true. Please keep in touch for I would love to hear your erudite views. My feminine intuition tells me that we know each other (???). Take care and have a lovely rest for tomorrow.
Cheers
Anonymous The Empire is after the Rocket. It demands its organs and issued the show cock decree.
The Rocket like PKR and the Moon are likely to force the Empire's claws to strip 'em itself. They won't do auto fulat as dictated to.
This is the visible sign of the clear failure and fall of the evil empire.
The bells ring, the kompangs beat. the crescendo is likely to intensify and become audible far and wide across the local galaxy.
~wits0~