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©The
Malaysian Insider (Used by permission)
by Shannon Teoh and Debra Chong
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has
suggested allowing people to join the Barisan Nasional directly as members.
He said people should be allowed to join the BN without being members of any
component parties.
The move would make BN more multiracial, he said today at the Gerakan national
delegates conference here.
Abdullah, who is also the chairman of BN, said the idea would allow the people
who support the government coalition to interact much closer with its leaders.
"It would be an opportunity for them to be closer to us in a formal setting," he
said at a press conference later.
He added: "So perhaps BN direct membership might be a good beginning, one of the
important reforms we wish to undertake."
"We want to be inclusive, not exclusive," he said.
At the opening ceremony earlier, Abdullah addressed Gerakan advisor Tun Lim Keng
Yaik, reminding the latter of a conversation they had four years ago.
"You won't remember, Keng Yaik, but when I became president of Umno and prime
minister, I said: 'There are Malays who do not wish to join Umno or Pas but
prefer a multiracial party.
"So I said: 'Keng Yaik, open the door. Let them come in, because Gerakan is a
component party of Barisan Nasional'," Abdullah related.
He observed that if Gerakan could return to its original purpose, "it will be a
good attempt to be a multiracial political party".
"DAP is not multiracial, even if they presume themselves to be," he said.
"They are more interested in Chinese issues. PPP too is seen as majority Indian.
Gerakan also is seen that way. To people who don't know their history, they are
considered to be a majority Chinese party," he said.
Abdullah leaves the hall after addressing the delegates conference.
He clarified that it does not necessarily diminish the role of the component
parties.
Asked if this meant BN would certainly merge into a multiracial party in the
future, Abdullah replied that he could not predict what would happen in the
future.
"It depends on the needs of future generations," he added.
He said that details of the concept had yet to be outlined and could not say
whether it would be more of a supporters' club or if members would be given
formal rights as members of BN.
"In terms of details, I will not want to say at the moment. I don't know what we
will call it."
Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon confirmed that the idea had been
brought up at the last BN supreme council meeting where Abdullah announced he
would not be defending the Umno presidency and also in private discussion
between the two.
"This is precisely the ideology of multiracialism. He is endorsing the
multiracial concept."
He reiterated that while the idea was being discussed by the coalition, Gerakan
would offer itself as an experiment for those who wanted to work with BN in a
multiracial format.
Abdullah also answered a reporter who implied that Gerakan Wanita chief Datuk
Tan Lian Hoe had yesterday said that Gerakan had been pushed around by Umno by
quipping: "Incorrect, incorrect, incorrect!"
He emphasised that he was not out to "create any legacy" in mooting direct
membership into BN.
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Circular No 304/2008
If every single idea and suggestion allows for a 'reform' to take place, then this will be the Age of Reformation in Malaysia.
What the citizens want is not for reforms to 'kid' us, nor for them to be introduced for the sake of reforming, nor reforming for the sake of maintaining the BN's own stake in Malaysian politics.
What the citizens want is for there to be justice, equality and fairness in this country.
The public demands a sincerely good government, always working for the economic betterment and happiness of the people. All that each political leader has done can always be well remembered by Malaysians - the good and the bad, especially.
Maintenance of 'sewerages' had always been the work of the PWD but Mahathir introduced the charges for this duty - under the disguised name of INDAH WATER. This was reformation without saying the word 'reform'.
First, 'a', his friend, was given the contract, and then his friend sold it to 'b', his relation, who then sold it to the government. This is the passing around and putting of good bucks into pockets in manners some know best.
Can some political leaders now propose to have the INDAH WATER CHARGES removed - to remove the unfair charges and burden cast upon the people ?
Tan Peek Guat