Privatisation Projects
One special project that is iconic of the unfairness of privatisation projects resulting in the loss of livelihood of the ordinary folks is the highway maintenance contract farmed out to a sole concessionaire for the whole state for a twenty years period.
The normal saying goes that ; 'even the grass cutting in this town is taken by people from Kuching'. Meaning to say , contractors who depended on their livelihood as small time grass cutting hands are now being abandoned for the big conglomerate from Kuching.
For a while , the silent majority remains mum.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Causes of Fallover of BN
The Marketing Fiasco of Islam Hadhari
Despite the unrelenting campaign by the government to spearhead the concept of Islam Hadhari, in the stronghold of Islamic adherence like the states of Kelantan, Perak and Selangor, the fall over of BN in the respective states is an indication that the concept of Islam Hadhari is hard to grasp and being rejected outright especially in the state of Kelantan.The huge promise of the concept like creating a civilisational change throughout the Malaysian landscape has not met with real or observable changes in the Malay psyche. Should Islamic Civilisation be seen as an external force exerting on the Malay conscience? Alternatively should the Malay conscience exhibit an Islamic perspective of an impending mega Islamic revival? Whatever it is, there is no clear marketing angle.
Despite the unrelenting campaign by the government to spearhead the concept of Islam Hadhari, in the stronghold of Islamic adherence like the states of Kelantan, Perak and Selangor, the fall over of BN in the respective states is an indication that the concept of Islam Hadhari is hard to grasp and being rejected outright especially in the state of Kelantan.The huge promise of the concept like creating a civilisational change throughout the Malaysian landscape has not met with real or observable changes in the Malay psyche. Should Islamic Civilisation be seen as an external force exerting on the Malay conscience? Alternatively should the Malay conscience exhibit an Islamic perspective of an impending mega Islamic revival? Whatever it is, there is no clear marketing angle.
Causes of Fallover of BN
Perceived weakness of the government ( and its leadership) in tackling the street issues
The rakyat was constantly awed by the mainstream media reporting of the government 's weaknesses in solving basic on the street issues like crime, rising costs of goods and services,race relations, corruption in the police force, judiciary and the government machinery.
The rakyat had to vent their anger and frustration and found it by casting protest votes in the ballot boxes.
The rakyat was constantly awed by the mainstream media reporting of the government 's weaknesses in solving basic on the street issues like crime, rising costs of goods and services,race relations, corruption in the police force, judiciary and the government machinery.
The rakyat had to vent their anger and frustration and found it by casting protest votes in the ballot boxes.
Causes of Fallover of BN
Force of Alternative Media
Truly the ICT infrastructure as laid down by the previous Dr Mahathir's administration in the urban areas of Malaysia for Internet connectivity was optimised by the opposition parties to fan their criticism across the world wide web on BN's seemingly unwavering stance on the use of mainstream media for propaganda purposes on behalf of the Establishment only . Leaving no room in the formal mainstream media, opposition parties had no choice but to resort to the Internet for 'believable' alternative information as against the mainstream media.
This increasing reliance on the Internet for alternative information will remain unstoppable primarily because the government is closed to issuing licences for TV, radio and newspapers for parties who could provide challenge to their policies, propaganda's and politics as broadcasted in the mainstream media.
The demand for alternative information will continue unabated due to the following reasons:
a) The government extremely tight control on public demonstrations
b) The rise in numbers of young, restless and angry voters( all sexes,all races) who form more communities in the blogsphere due to the upsurge of popularity in the opposition parties politics.
c) Soon, the sub-urban and rural youths will be instigated further and their anger aroused knowing that their opportunities to have their say have been limited due to weak or in most instances the absence of Internet connections.
The message that the younger generations get after the fallover is that, blogging is a respectable job which have the power to change society and political system.
Truly the ICT infrastructure as laid down by the previous Dr Mahathir's administration in the urban areas of Malaysia for Internet connectivity was optimised by the opposition parties to fan their criticism across the world wide web on BN's seemingly unwavering stance on the use of mainstream media for propaganda purposes on behalf of the Establishment only . Leaving no room in the formal mainstream media, opposition parties had no choice but to resort to the Internet for 'believable' alternative information as against the mainstream media.
This increasing reliance on the Internet for alternative information will remain unstoppable primarily because the government is closed to issuing licences for TV, radio and newspapers for parties who could provide challenge to their policies, propaganda's and politics as broadcasted in the mainstream media.
The demand for alternative information will continue unabated due to the following reasons:
a) The government extremely tight control on public demonstrations
b) The rise in numbers of young, restless and angry voters( all sexes,all races) who form more communities in the blogsphere due to the upsurge of popularity in the opposition parties politics.
c) Soon, the sub-urban and rural youths will be instigated further and their anger aroused knowing that their opportunities to have their say have been limited due to weak or in most instances the absence of Internet connections.
The message that the younger generations get after the fallover is that, blogging is a respectable job which have the power to change society and political system.
Causes of Fallover of BN
The Kitchen Cabinet
This comprises of individuals who are alleged to have greater influence on the Prime Minister than his cabinet or the civil service. (Ref: Kadir Jasin, The Scribe,12-3-08, accessed at http://kadirjasin.blogspot.com/ )
This comprises of individuals who are alleged to have greater influence on the Prime Minister than his cabinet or the civil service. (Ref: Kadir Jasin, The Scribe,12-3-08, accessed at http://kadirjasin.blogspot.com/ )
Friday, March 14, 2008
Initial notes
This blog is opened today in Kuching, Sarawak. The political landscape of Malaysia changed a great deal after the fall over of the ruling party in the just concluded 12 th General Election. The coming into play of previously opposition parties like DAP, PKR and PAS into real governmental action in five states in Peninsular Malaysia is a trend that deserves an insightful look.
However, I would like to approach this subject as a political observer, who prefers to listen more by keeping his mouth shut. Hopefully by doing so, better insights will pop out.
However, I would like to approach this subject as a political observer, who prefers to listen more by keeping his mouth shut. Hopefully by doing so, better insights will pop out.
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