Best of the bad? Is that our only choices this GE?

Best of the worst - maybe that is the only choice that Malaysians will have to make this coming GE14.

Ultimately, it is the individuals that make a political party - but alas, there will be good people and not so good people in any society.

It is a sad day, when we see some of the Opposition State government politicians behaving in the same wrong way that UMNO-BN politicians were doing with regard to the Fedaral and State governments they now governed...

YES - using government resources and even funds for 'political campaigning'...Yes, the giving of monies, goodies and even projects, some of which is happening during campaign periods...

Well, if we see, the wrongdoers come from not just UMNO-BN, but also other parties that ruled Opposition governed States...

Now, it is sad that Pakatan Harapan also do not want to give us Local Council Elections...Same too in Kelantan, with PAS. All these political parties still want to APPOINT Local Councillors, and also the JKKK and the JKKKP(So still no democratic right for the people to choose their own leaders at their local communities, etc...)

Well, we know what UMNO-BN failings were...and, we now feel the impact of some of these failings...so many want to experience a different government for Malaysia...to see how they do...if things will improve? The worse is the increasing national debt, the erosion of confidence in the administration of justice, the growth of precarious employment, possible corruption and/or kleptocracy, etc...

But, who do we choose....Pakatan Harapan, PAS and its coalition, PRM, PSM...well, I believe that the Opposition will generally continue to be anti-UMNO-BN, and will most likely come together to form Opposition governments, if the UMNO-BN fails to get more that 50% of the Parliamentary seats at the Federal and/or State level..So, look at the CANDIDATES, and choose the best MPs and ADUNs - people who will stand against injustice and wrongs, even if the perpetrator comes from their own political parties. We do not want 'smiling' unprincipled loyalist of existing party leaders - but people with principles and good values which will tolerate no wrongdoing, kleptocracy, abuse of powers, corruption...who are concerned for the poor and ordinary Malaysians.

For me, I want 'other than UMNO-BN' for then, the people get back their power...and new governments will be more concerned for the well-being of the people KNOWING that if they do not what is just and right, they will simply be voted out come next elections...

EC - well, they are behaving most badly - the introduction of rules about no other faces in campaign posters coming a few days before nomination. Most parties/candidates would have already printed posters and banners...New rules - well, for one, this really must be made by the Parliament, and no more simply by the EC..

EC's rejection of Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM)'s application to monitor the GE14 is also absurd...Why allow foreign observers and not Malaysia's own Human Rights Commission? What is the EC afraid of? I hope SUHAKAM continue to monitor the GE14...despite not being allowed by EC what they could have done, if they had the 'observer status'....

 

EC chief, PKR Youth leader inducted into Bersih's 'Hall of Shame'

Published on 29 Apr 2018, 4:10 pm  |  Modified on 29 Apr 2018, 6:02 pm

   

GE14 | Election Commission chairperson Mohd Hashim Abdullah has the unenviable honour of being inducted into Bersih's Hall of Shame.

Apart from this, he is also conferred with the “Five-Star Award of Shame.”

“This is for the hundreds of complaints received on problems with the electoral roll, including people registered without their knowledge, voters removed from the electoral roll and voters transferred to distant constituencies.

“In addition to this, Hashim is also inducted for announcing arbitrary restrictions on free campaigning days before nomination, including limiting pictures and logos on campaign materials,” said the electoral watchdog in a statement this afternoon.

Whereas, PKR Youth deputy chief Afif Bahardin had the distinction of being the sole Pakatan Harapan politician on the list.

Bersih said the Seberang Jaya candidate had used Penang state government programmes to give handouts, such as hampers, to voters in the constituency.

Bersih said the second batch of 10 inductees were selected from over 300 verified reports up to and including April 26.

The others were:

P Kamalanathan (MIC) - for repeatedly treating voters with food, groceries and petrol.

Abu Bakar Sidekh (Umno) - for repeatedly treating voters in Seberang Jaya, including giving out rice, hampers, tables and chairs and other essentials while campaigning.

Musa Aman (Umno) - for giving out 155 motorcycles to entrepreneurs in Sandakan.

Shahanim Mohd Yusuf (Umno) - for giving away money to voters at a BN event in Taman Keladi on April 23, 2018, then claiming it was her allocation as a senator when parliament was officially dissolved on April 7.

Noh Omar (Umno) - for using the Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government to hold campaign events in Gombak. He gave out donations to zakat recipients (April 19), ang pows to local residents (April 25) and used the Program Transformasi Sosial DUN Gombak Setia to campaign against incumbent Gombak MP Mohamed Azmin Ali (April 19).

Jaspal Singh (MIC) - for repeatedly bribing and treating of voters in Bukit Selambau, Kedah. In house to house visits, he gave out food, essentials and money to voters.

Hamzah Zainudin (Umno) - for repeated bribery and treating of voters in Larut, including giving out free petrol and buckets, RM50,000 to 250 zakat recipients and RM3,000 to 200 people at a BizFair.

Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob (PAS) - for repeatedly using Kelantan state government machinery to hold PAS events, including giving religious leaders money in a hall covered with PAS flags with the state government logo on April 16, 2018 at the Pusat Tarbiyah Islamiyah Kelantan.




Elaborating on Hashim's “Five-Star Award of Shame”, Bersih said he was chosen for failing to clean up the electoral roll, which led to numerous public complaints and called into question the integrity of the election.

“He is also being held responsible for the arbitrary and unfair changes of election regulations without consultation at the eleventh hour of the nomination day,” it added.

Since the election campaign has officially started, Bersih urged all political parties and their candidates to campaign on their manifestos and policies instead of resorting to bribery and threats.

“As the Election Offences Act will also kick in on April 28, Bersih will monitor even more closely the conduct of all stakeholders, especially the EC, political parties and candidates.

“New inductees to the 'Hall of Shame' will be announced every Friday, up to May 9, 2018,” it added.

Bersih also urged those who witness an election offence to report online at aduan.pemantau.org, through WhatsApp on 011-17721546 or call 03-79314444.- Malaysiakini, 29/4/2018

UMNO 16 terminated for going to court to seek justice? Something very wrong...

16 members of UMNO applied to court to review the decision of the Registrar of Society(ROS) to allow UMNO to postpone its Elections for another year...Well, according to the UMNO Constitution, Elections to be held every 3 years, and further that the UMNO Supreme Council have the right to adjourn elections for 18 months. Well, that 3 years and 18 months extension had passed...and then UMNO apparently applied to the ROS for a further 1 year extension...and the ROS granted it.

So, simply put, the question that the 16 UMNO members wanted was to question was whether the ROS could legally grant this further extension of 1 year.

UMNO is a society(political party), and the members decide on its operations and rules. And for UMNO, that would be what the party Constitution states generally...and also Resolutions passed at AGMs

Delaying party elections is most UNJUST to members - it denies UMNO members the right to stand and/or choose their leaders democratically - BUT it is beneficial to the INCUMBENT leaders who can hold on to 'power' for a longer term...longer than the 3 years. Well, Najib and the current Supreme Council had been in power for 3 years(Plus 18 months) plus a few months, and if elections is only going to be in 2019, well that means, they have succeeded in holding on to power for almost 2 terms without an elections, and all UMNO members have been denied the right and opportunity to change leaders(or maybe vote Najib back in as President?)

UMNO changed its Constitution - and now, to be a candidate for President, all one needs is one member proposing and another seconding. Previously, one had to get the nominations of so many Divisions...

Was it Najib's fear that if there was an UMNO elections, 3 years after the last elections, that he may lose? In the last UMNO Elections, after the hanges to the UMNO Constitution came into effect, Najib was most lucky that there was no other candidates proposed for the post of President...

A society - Well, the ultimate power rest with the membership... When it comes to even terminating membership of a member, a member has the right to be heard... and usually there will be a hearing, where an 'independent' panel will decide on the guilt or innocence of a member...and also the punishment. Terminating membership is the worst punishment...and should seldom be used.

Now even after the the Executive Committee decides on a punishment(including termination), the member has the right to appeal to the membership, usually at the AGM or EGM...

And then, even take the matter to the Courts...
 

Now, in this case of UMNO, it shocking that UMNO denies the right of members to take UMNO to court. This is most unreasonable...(but, at the end of the day, it is still the UMNO members that decide...Wonder why UMNO members foolishly agreed to such a clause in their Constitution - did they think about it and vote? Or did they unthinkingly vote?)..With this clause, even if UMNO owes a member money, and does not pay - UMNO members cannot go to court to get an order that UMNO pays the member what is due?

Remember if a society owns a RM1 million building, then the owners are really all the members, and they deserve an equal share...if the society wants to shut down?

Now, the 16 UMNO members were taking the Registrar of Society to court - they wanted the court to review the decision of the Registrar to further delay the UMNO AGM...and, so what is the basis of sacking these members? 

But, even if you terminate a member, after the case is filed - the case will still go on...What matters is whether you had the right to file when you filed the case?

UMNO Constitution gives too much power to the elected leaders ...and reduces the rights of ordinary members...Members can simply be terminated...and now, they cannot even take a case against UMNO even if they allege injustice? Well, something is very wrong...

The Societies Act also is anti freedom of association, when too much power is given to the government(i.e. the Registrar of Societies). Now, the Registrar even has the power to reject amendments in society constitution even if the it is the decision of membership. This includes also the right to increase subscription fees...

How could the ROS even approve UMNO's constitution that says a member loses his/her membership when he files a case against UMNO? It certainly is unjust...and members are deprived a remedy in court against the wrongdoings of the party?

There are many changes that are needed in Malaysian laws - most importantly the restoration of true freedom of association, which includes the ability to take membership disputes to court, and even take their own society to court especially in cases of wrongful dismissal of membership, or even breaches of the Constitution/Rules of the Society...

    

  

Expulsion of 16 Umno members according to the law, says Zahid

Published 1 week ago on 21 April 2018

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said move to expel 16 Umno members from five states who were sacked for filing a judicial review to dissolve Umno at the Kuala Lumpur High Court was in accordance with the resolution in the Umno constitution and regulations. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon

BAGAN DATUK, April 21 — The move to expel 16 Umno members from five states who were sacked for filing a judicial review to dissolve Umno at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, yesterday was in accordance with the resolution in the Umno constitution and regulations.

Umno vice-president who is discharging the duty of party deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this was because any Umno member who filed a court application or action, would automatically lose their membership.

“(Under) the Umno Constitution, Umno members cannot take any issue concerning the party to the court and if it is taken to court, the members concerned will automatically be expelled from Umno.

“We also suspect that the action of the Umno members was masterminded by the opposition. However, a detailed study must be carried out to obtain its validity,” he told reporters after launching the new GiatMara Building in Hutan Melintang, here today.

Yesterday, 16 Umno members took legal action to challenge the validity of Umno as a political party for postponing the party election.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the action of the 16 Umno members clearly went against Clause 20.7 of the Umno Constitution which states that any member who files a court application or action would automatically lose his or her membership.

Commenting further, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said the allegation was baseless as Umno had asked the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to postpone party elections until April 2019.

He said such action had to be taken because the RoS had issued a postponement letter for the Umno election and the directive should not have been challenged by anyone as it was an official decision.

“I believe the announcement on the candidates and the document to be made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the name of Umno was according to the law and legally binding,” he said. — Bernama - The Malay Mail, 21/4/2018

Court dismisses bid by 16 to determine legality of Umno

V Anbalagan

 | April 27, 2018 

 

Judge Kamaludin Md Said says the court cannot interfere in the internal affairs of political parties.

Lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla speaking to reporters after the court verdict.

KUALA LUMPUR: A leave application for judicial review by 16 members to determine the legality of Umno was thrown out today as the court is not empowered to interfere in the affairs of political parties.
Judge Kamaludin Md Said ruled that Section 18C of the Societies Act 1966 excluded the jurisdiction of the courts in such matters.

“Effect must be given to the intention of Parliament in legislating Section 18C,” he said in allowing the Registrar of Societies’ (RoS) preliminary objection to refuse the leave sought by the 16.

Kamaludin said he had considered two recent Federal Court rulings – Indira Gandhi v Pengarah Jabatan Agama Islam (2018) and Semenyih Jaya Sdn Bhd v Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Hulu Langat (2017) – relied on by lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla, who represented the Umno members.

“Those cases in my view can be distinguished from the present application,” he said.

Kamaludin said the rulings in general terms reminded the stakeholders that judicial power may only be vested in the courts, safeguarded by constitutional provisions to ensure judicial independence and separation of powers.

He said the cases were not dealing with the decision of a political party on any matter related to the affairs of Umno within Section 18C.

“I cannot ignore the Federal Court decision in Pendaftar Pertubuhan v Datuk Justin Jinggui (2013) that clearly excluded the court from going into the merit of any disputes between members of a political party,” he said.

Umno Seri Merpati Pandan Indah branch leader Salihudin Ahmad Khalid and 15 fellow Umno members, who have since been sacked, are seeking a judicial review against the party on grounds that it breached its constitution by delaying the party elections.

They named as respondents Umno executive secretary Ab Rauf Yusoh and the RoS.

The 16 said the party should hold elections every three years and the leadership could only delay them for an 18-month period. However the party was granted an extension by the RoS until next year.

The applicants allege that a second extension given to Umno is not provided for in the party constitution.

They also said the delay had denied them their right to pick their leaders.

Meanwhile, Haniff told reporters he had instructions from his clients to file an appeal.

He said another application for leave to initiate contempt proceedings against party secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor over his announcement that the 16 had been sacked would not be heard on May 16 following today’s ruling.

Haniff expressed disappointment over the ruling, saying Kamaludin had failed to appreciate the legal principle established in the Indira Gandhi and Semenyih Jaya cases.

“The judge appeared to have ignored the binding precedent of a recent ruling by a superior court,” he said.
Haniff said today’s ruling had also shut the doors to members seeking legal remedy against those administrating political parties.

He said the election of Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates could be questioned if today’s ruling was later reversed.

“BN will be in crisis if Umno, which is a coalition member, is declared an unlawful society later,” he said.-FMT News, 27/4/2018


  

How Many More Must Die Before the Government Takes Action...? - Malaysian Bar

Press Release | How Many More Must Die Before the Government Takes Action, Including Establishing the IPCMC?

Monday, 23 April 2018 11:56am

The Malaysian Bar is appalled that two more men have died while in police custody, within the space of merely a few weeks.  Nizam Idris, 39, was found hanged in the Selama police station lock-up on 17 March 2018.  Selama district police chief Deputy Superintendent Loo Lian Lay said that the Royal Malaysia Police’s Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (Jabatan Integriti dan Pematuhan Standard, “JIPS”) was investigating Nizam Idris’s death to establish if the police officers on duty had been negligent, and that the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (“EAIC”) was also conducting an investigation. In the second case, Thanabalan Subramaniam, 38, was pronounced dead at Shah Alam Hospital on 17 April 2018 after having been found unconscious at the Shah Alam central lock-up — where he had been detained for some 20 days — earlier that evening.  The Director-General of Health in the Ministry of Health, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, stated that Thanabalan Subramaniam had shown symptoms of fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and lack of appetite for four days before he died.  It appears that Thanabalan Subramaniam might not have received adequate medical attention at the onset of his illness. These deaths may well have been prevented if the police officers on duty had been more diligent in their duty to ensure the safety and well-being of the detainees entrusted to their care.  The Malaysian Bar is deeply concerned that the case of Nizam Idris is being investigated by JIPS, which — by virtue of being a department within the Royal Malaysia Police — is not independent; and by the EAIC, a commission that is not dedicated to oversight of the police force, under-resourced, under-staffed and unable to take any action or bring any wrongdoer to book.  We are not aware of any reported results of investigation by JIPS or by the EAIC, which lends to the perception that acts of misconduct and negligence in these cases may well go unaddressed and/or unpunished.    The Malaysian Bar reiterates our call on the Government to implement the recommendation of the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police (“Royal Commission”), in its report published in May 2005, to set up the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (“IPCMC”) to function as an independent and external oversight body to investigate complaints about police personnel and to make the police accountable for their conduct, including acts of negligence.  Although 13 years have passed since this report was published, the need to set up the IPCMC remains as relevant, and even more pressing, today.  The deaths of Nizam Idris and Thanabalan Subramaniam are an urgent wake-up call that the Government must no longer ignore.   George Varughese President Malaysian Bar 23 April 2018   Source: Malaysian Bar Website

Parti Rakyat Malaysia(PRM) - another choice for GE14?

Parti Rakyat Malaysia(PRM) - an old Opposition party, that was once part of the Opposition Coalition known as the Socialist Front - way before the days of the DAP, Pakatan Rakyat, Pakatan Harapan...

A small party today, which unfortunately not being getting much media(or alternative media) attention especially after the alleged merger of PRM and Parti Keadilan to become PKR. But, alas the PRM lives on ...

Possibly to enable a one to one fight in past few General Elections, PRM seems to have stayed out of the fight...BUT things have changed, and PRM recently announced that they will be contesting 100 seats - 80 state seats and 20 Parliament seats

 

Well, if one is interested, one could look at the internet, and the many blogs including Parti Rakyat Malaysia

PRM sentiasa prihatin kepada hak PEKERJA dan telah bertindak menuntut keadilan?

PRM - some historical information - What does PRM stand for today?

Sejak dulu, PRM menghebohkan kelemahan Pakatan ...?- lihat kenyataan 2015?

Parti Rakyat Malaysia to contest 100 seats in GE14, use own funds

Sangeetha Amarthalingam

/

theedgemarkets.com

April 10, 2018 

BUTTERWORTH (April 10): Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) has resurfaced to take on 80 state seats and 20 Parliament seats in the country during the 14th General Election, with an objective of playing the role of an effectiveopposition party to the ruling government.

Its secretary-general Koh Swe Yong told reporters here that the party will be contesting against incumbents from both political coalitions in Penang, Perak, Kedah and Sabah.

“We will be using our own money to fund our candidacy, as opposed to allegations that we are receiving funds from Barisan Nasional and Umno. If we did do that, we will be contesting more than 100 seats. We are not here to split votes but to play the role of an effective check and balance to the government,” Koh said.

Democratic socialist PRM was formed in 1955 by leftist Ahmad Boestamam. In the past, several of its leaders, including six presidents, had been arrested under the Internal Security Act for reasons including its affiliation with communism. To date, it has about 10,000 members.

“Today, we are here to continue the fight for people. We want to be a governing party but before we achieve that, we will become an effective opposition party to either BN or Pakatan Harapan. Currently, we see no party holding that power in the government,” he added.

In Penang, a maverick group of 18 candidates who are new to politics, plan to stand for 18 state seats and four Parliament seats, to bring up public-centric issues such as environment, flooding and housing.

The group targets fence-sitters who are disillusioned on the promises made by incumbent political parties, said Penang PRM head Tang Hiang Lye.

“I have spent many hours in coffee shops and I understand the grouses people have against the ruling government in Penang. They include environmental, flooding and housing issues,” Tang said in a press conference today.

The 56-year-old who will contest both Bukit Tengah state and Batu Kawan Parliament seats this election, left Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition party Gerakan after 19 years in 2011, when he realised it was no longer relevant.

“I joined PRM last year, after spending six years championing local issues for people under my non-governmental organisation ‘Pasukan Tanpa Parti’. I noticed that Penangites were not happy with the DAP government,” Tang added.

Among candidates aged between 35 and 76 are two former journalists Chua Cheong Wee, 49, and Chew Seng Tung, 35, who want to keep Pakatan Harapan leaders on their toes.

“People need to know that they can question the government. We might not win but at least we tell the people that they should bring up issues. In a way, we are educating them.

“As journalists, we see how the government is acting on issues. We feel there should be a check and balance on them,” said the former Kwong Wah Yit Poh writer.

Meanwhile, Koh said the last time PRM contested in Penang in a general election was in the 1960s, and again in 2013, but under the PKR ticket.

“In the last two general elections, we contested nationwide under the PKR ticket. We were buried then but not anymore,” he added. - The Edge Markets, 10/4/2018

 

PAS and Gagasan Sejahtera another option for Malaysian voters?

GE14 - Well, besides Pakatan Harapan(DAP+PKR+Amanah+Pribumi), Malaysians have other options when it comes to the Opposition - Parti Rakyat Malaysia(PRM), Gagasan Sejahtera(PAS, Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) and Pan-Malaysian Islamic Front (Berjasa)] and PSM(Parti Socialis Malaysia).

Let us look at the Gagasan Sejahtera Manifesto in brief..below

Yes, it is an Opposition coalition - and PAS is a very old Opposition party, with many supporters...After the last PAS elections, many of the losing team to form a new party called Amanah(which is now part of Pakatan Harapan). Some like Husam Musa was expelled from PAS and later also chose to join PAS.

PAS, in the last elections have also been placing non-Muslim candidates in Elections - an indication that it is not just a party for Muslims, but appreciates the multi-religious nature of Malaysians..

The biggest worry for many is that PAS and its coalition members may make Malaysia an Islamic State - introduce Hudud, etc...but then, they have ruled in Kelantan for many many years and there is really no major issue of non-Muslim discriminatory policies emerging, have there ...In fact, in the governance of the State, similar issues like corruption is also emerging of late - and also Orang Asli issues.

Would PAS or Gagasan Sejahtera join UMNO-BN? They say 'No' - so, if they stay with the Opposition, what may happen is the formation of some Opposition coalition government. Remember, there is also always the risk of DAP and even PKR (and Pribumi) candidates jumping over to BN - it happened before in Perak, when ADUNs from DAP and PKR left the Opposition - resulting in the State becoming an UMNO-BN governed State...

In this elections, many are hoping for a non UMNO-BN government for Malaysia...but since there will be many Opposition candidates in many Constituencies, it is important then to maybe evaluate the CANDIDATE and decide...

RUU 355 - well, that was simply a Bill to simply allow State governments to increase penalties. already existing penalties, like fines, imprisonment and whipping - Now, a Federal Law places limits. Hadi Awang was not wanting to introduce the death penalty or cutting off limbs...

PAS talks a lot about being 'Islamic' but alas, at the end of the day, looking at Kelantan itself, one wonders what really is the "Islamic' style of administration is there in Kelantan different from the other State governments in Malaysia - No Local Council Elections, No democratically elected kampung/taman/kampung baru leaders, No elected Senators - all still appointed by the government/DUN,...what about state owned companies and GLCs - well, just like the rest of the States, there is no publicly available audit reports of GLCs, no policy about salaries/allowances for staff and Directors,...So, what is the real Islamic model that PAS is talking about?

OR is PAS simply using 'Islam' as a means to survive and succeed as a Political party for Muslims...Is that not similar to UMNO, MCA and MIC that uses ethnicity to survive? 

Any political party needs not just an ideology - but clearly a stated policy and plan of action about what they would do to improve governance and administration ..What is the Employment policy and plans, Education, Healthcare, Distribution of Wealth and Poverty, Taxation, etc...

One major problem in Malaysia - is that many political parties expend too much time in HIGHLIGHTING the wrongs of the parties that are incumbent governments, and other political parties in Opposition

What really is the plans of the Opposition for the basic issue of :-

TAXATION - Will there be an increase of taxation of the rich? Will there be an increase in corporate taxation? 

WORKERS - Will there be a commitment to REGULAR Rmployment (and an opposition of precarious forms of employment like short-term contracts and the contractor for labour systems)? Today, most Malaysian workers are debt-ridden because they have taken loans to buy homes, cars, etc...and all these require workers to pay their monthly payments to banks(failing which, the banks will take and auction of your property?)- thus Employment Security is essential - Regular Employment provides this...and also annual increments to ensure worker security and family stability. State governments where business operates, can set conditions about employment for the benefit and wellbeing of workers....When workers lost jobs, had their rights violated, etc - did the Kelantan PAS  government(let alone any of the Opposition governments) come out and do something...we know UMNO-BN is not so concerned?

HEALTHCARE - Well, should it not be FREE - as it is a basic right? What does PAS and/or Gagasan say about this?

YES - Malaysian Opposition parties have so many inadequacies - but at the end of the day, for the Rakyat to win back its power from all political parties/coalition, it is time for a change of government - another government other than UMNO-BN for Malaysia. When the politicians know that people have the power to kick them out of power OR put them back into power, governments in the future will be more concerned for the ordinary people(the voters) in Malaysia and will governed better...

Come what may, I believe that after GE14, PAS and Gagasan Sejahtera, if there is insufficient vote for UMNO-BN (i.e. less than 50% of the seats in Parliament) to govern, will more likely JOIN other Opposition parties to form an alternative government - not the UMNO-BN. That is my view...

Gagasan announces its manifesto

Sunday, 18 Mar 2018

10:51 PM MYTby loong meng yee and royce tan

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (left) and Tuan Ibrahim at the launch of the Gagasan Sejahtera manifesto in Cyberjaya on Sunday night.

CYBERJAYA: Gagasan Sejahtera presented 20 major points in its manifesto for the general election that include popular promises such as abolishing the Goods and Services Tax (GST), reducing crime and getting rid of student loans.

The coalition's vice chairman Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said it would replace GST with tax on corporate savings and capital gains tax in Bursa Malaysia.

Gagasan is a coalition comprising PAS, Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) and the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Front (Berjasa).

Tuan Ibrahim, who is also PAS deputy president and the chairman of the manifesto's drafting committee, said they would also offer assistance for first time car buyers for models below 1300cc through excise duty exemptions and interest-free loans.

"We will also empower Islam as the official religion and make Bahasa Melayu as the medium for all subjects in the country's education system.

"We will also change the structure of the toll rates by going through the toll concession agreements that exceeds 15 years," he said.

He added that the manifesto is based on nine main thrusts which are:

* The formation of a government with integrity, trustworthiness and free from corruption.

* To increase disposable income and provide new opportunities for the rakyat.

* Empowering Malaysians to ease the impact of inflation and the rising cost of living.

* Reducing the gap of income and wealth distribution between urban and rural areas.

* Improving the quality of education to create better human capital.

* The harmonisation of the legal system and governance.

* Strengthening the concept of federalism by restoring certain rights of a state government.

* Empowering the people's voice, which is in line with the demands of Syura and democratic principles.

* Enhancing the effectiveness of current social support system for vulnerable groups.

Tuan Ibrahim added that the manifesto was drafted by a body comprising economy experts, tax experts, syariah experts and those who were experienced in cultural and social affairs.- Star Online, 18/3/2018