While we understand that the Perak MB is still undecided between the three candidates proposed by each Opposition parties, there are rumors spread via SMS that the Regent of Perak His Raja Nazrin Shah has accepted DAP’s candidate Ngeh Koo Ham as the MB of Perak, with strong objection from the PAS.
The Opposition coalition which consists of DAP, PKR and PAS announced a proposal to form a coalition government tafter winning 31 of the 59 Perak State Legislative Assembly seats in the 12th GE.
DAP, PKR and PAS won 18, 7 and 6 seats respectively and had to form a coalition government as none of them had won the 30 seats needed for a simple majority.
Anyway, here goes the rumors via the SMS.
"Fwd-Urgent! Raja Nazrin has accepted Ngeh Kho Ham (Christian) as Chief Minister of Perak but PAS objected violently. Pray God’s will be done. pl fwd"
Fortunately, there are concerned anak-anak bangsa Malaysia out there who do not believe in racial politics and are pretty much disturbed by the irresponsible act.
Example, like my blogging friend Sivin Kit, who works as a pastor, gave a few reasons below on why he DISAGREE to forward the SMS:
- I don’t know the source. So, I’m not sure whether both the info on Ngeh is correct. And the "objected violently" is very subjective and is prone to misunderstanding.
- Even if it’s true that Raja Nazrin choose Ngeh (which if I’m right it’s the Sultan’s authority unless delegated) why highlight the Christian part which alienates our Muslim friends unnecessarily.
- While I don’t question the sincerity of the 1st person who sent this (even if this is true), I question the maturity of it
- And if it’s not from someone not sincere, and trying to stir some hostility, let’s not fall for it. These are times where we must not let our guard down.
I strongly urge every fellow anak-anak bangsa Malaysia to take heed of Sivin’s advice and stop forwarding the SMS. Thank you Sivin.
While I understand that it’s unfair for DAP to be denied the MB’s post, however I’m equally disturbed by the number of" concerned citizens" of the possibility of having a MB from PAS.
Let’s make no mistake about this. Even if DAP’s candidate is to be appointed as the MB, that doesn’t mean DAP can afford to deny the Bumi rights or accord more privileges to the non-Bumi. The same theory applies if the new MB is either from the PKR or even PAS, since PAS vice-president Husam Musa stressed that even if the Sultan chooses a menteri besar from PAS, there would not be drastic social changes that would affect non-Muslims.
It’s time for many of us out there (especially those ultra-Chinese or ultra-Malay) to do away with racial politics and racist minded, if we’re expecting this country to thrive under the Bangsa Malaysia concept, otherwise don’t expect others to think alike when we ourselves are not ready to give up the communal thinking, just like in this case, the appointment of the next MB for Perak.
Either way, for the new MB to be from any Opposition party, I’m very confident that His Royal Highness Raja Nazrin Shah, who is respected by every level of society, will come out with a fair and just decision on the appointment of the next MB by end this week.
Besides, what’s more important is to have a MB which is credible, fair, able to perform the role effectively and looking into the state affairs diligently rather than any other trivial secondary factors such as their skin-color especially, in which, unfortunately, is a concern for certain small groups.
For now, let us rest our case and stop speculating about who’s the possible MB, or risk creating feelings of uneasiness among the multi-racial Perakian, or worse, throughout the entire country.
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Selection of the next MB should be based on their personal qualification and not color. The last election results clearing showed that the ppl wants a strong, able, clean and efficient leader.
There are not that many choices if we were to continue using the same old ruler. Wake-up…wake-up…we want a better leader..and stop worrying about the color
I was surprised to get quoted here :-) (I think you got the version I sent via email). I did refine my comments a little on this matter and blogged about it here with another fellow young Christian chipping in.
I think it’s another hoax to create misunderstanding among people….
we’ll just wait and see
The key part I added are in points 2 & 3 (in blue):
2. Even if it’s true that Raja Nazrin choose Ngeh (which if I’m right it’s the Sultan’s authority unless delegated) why highlight the Christian part which alienates our Muslim friends unnecessarily. Furthermore, we called for change especially during the recent elections that seeks to take away our focus on race and religion and redirect it to common concerns, why do we Christians fall into the trap in which we criticize others?
3. While I don’t question the sincerity of the 1st person who sent this (even if this is true), I question the maturity of it … but intuitively I’m not at ease.
"a menteri besar from PAS, there would not be drastic social changes that would affect non-Muslims"
But I do mind drastic social changes that would affect Muslims!
How come nobody ever consider this!
I don’t mind PAS coming to power if they have bigger vote among the Malays, at least. But in Perak, I think UMNO actually has more vote compared to PAS.
And even if they say that the gov to be formed would be a BA gov, not a PAS gov, or a DAP gov, etc., DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THE PAS GUY!
Within a week, he would be hitting down hard on fellow Malays or Muslims who are NOT as religious!
I agree with you. Ppl try to play racial card here and i as a Malay dont care about next MB for Perak. What i need next MB must clean from corruption, cronysm and sort of unhealthy. For me i can accept Chinese, Malay or Indian as MB. We need to go to grassroot level esspecially in rural area or ultra Chinese and ultra Malay to explain to them. Hope blogger can write and print out something about this matter and hand in to ppl. The reason i vote for BA because i need clean people and not corrupted as BN.
Yes, this are my thoughts exactly too. I couldn’t care less colour of Perak next MB. I only wish to know if he would ‘re-invent’ the NEP to benefit all poor ppl regardless of colour. I only wish to know if he would walk the talk and declare his assets.
Look at the bigger picture folks. You all have come so far, lets not screw up on this step.
What you are trying to do here, playing with colours are just so ‘Barisan Nasional’.
I received two of these smses to me last nite before I read your post entry. I replied to the senders (people whom I know) telling them not to spread rumours and to discern the overall "feel" of the sms. This sms, like what Sivin succintly described, sounds a bit too emotional. I felt it was more malicious than with good intent.
I am a Christian. So what if the MB is a Christian or Muslim or Buddhist or Hindu? He may be a faithful Christian but he may not be the best person for the job. Likewise, any religion. Let us not fall back on such divisive grounds again after the good results from the election. As Christians, we should be praying for a Menteri Besar who is God-fearing – accountable, responsible, transparent and tempered with justice and fairness in executing his duties. Not solely because he happens to be a Christian.
Anyway, did anyone bother to think the repercussions if PAS objected violently? Their political movement will most likely be destroyed for disobeying the wishes of the royalty. They are not so stupid as to "violently object" the decision of the royalty. Moreover, it has never been their stand to go against the rulers.
I think for all such smses that we receive, we who are more exposed to information should educate those who sent the sms to us. They may very well be misinformed. Rather than just deleting the smses, educate!
hypocrite!
On the selection of Perak MB … no more race politicslah……
So, the greatest debate in Malaysian politics the past few days is the election of the next Perak MB and Selangor MB, but the most “hot” one is the one about the Perak MB.
Malaysians must remember this one pertinent fact when looking at the…
to avoid future problem, selection must be from DAP (malay,chinese or indian or lain-lain). so since DAP now don’t have Malay. must get some1 else, from DAP also. coz DAP win largest seat and they seem demand it since they have capable candidate, universal democracy should apply and should not be restricted by law. coz any decision will set a precedent as referral under the law in future. i also dont hope to see future as a mess as a result of a bad decision. no racial politics. unless DAP dont demand mb post, so nothing to say.
Here the issue is not who become MB, is when the MB can start contribute to state of Perak.
I am a Christian and I agree that this sms is cheeky. Other than the arguments here, i believe in the separation of state and religion. The next MB ( at this time is confirmed as the PAS secretary ) is one that can bring people to work together & competent, with integrity.
I once was selected as the first non Malay penghulu for my course. After 2 weeks, sense that it is not working and swapped with Fuad. He did a better job connecting and we worked together to balance each other’s strength. There is mutual respect and I am not a lesser Christian.
MCA based varsity party offered me to ‘champion the rights of Chinese". Declined them as i want to champion rights of Malaysians. My stand is the same today. Be less racist please.
things is like a mess now. ppl that hit on LKS blog must be BN ppl. dont trust too much of them. sure some information that amissed to us. if not why raja petra aslo so suprised with the PAS as mb? palace conservativeness? i hope DAP all member will go behind electing DAP member as mb? non-bumi also dont so stupid hitting out before u all understand much. ITs not bout race. its bout righteous. AS long as DAp it will be ok irrespective of race. The king must waive the mb condition in this case. clear cut. since the 3 party say before election tat majority will lead and choose mb. dont tell me they havent think bout this rule of malay and muslim as mb requirement. so all must honour. submitting 3 name is just actually to show a easier way for the palace and coalition to gone down well with malay voter especially the BN. this is to shut them up when decision is make fr king. the palace should not take the goodwill of DAP that mean to save the peace, and turn the palace themself to hero.
[...] DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang turned into unruly behavior with regarding to the appointment of the new Perak MB by the Regent of Perak Raja Nazrin [...]
[...] DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang turned into unruly behavior with regarding to the appointment of the new Perak MB by the Regent of Perak Raja Nazrin [...]
[...] let me reiterate this to the non anak bangsa Malaysia if I may put it this way, especially those from the ultra group, if you’re not ready to give up the communal mindset, don’t expect others to think [...]
I don’t care who is Perak next MB…..can be Chinese….or Malay….or Indian…..I DUN CARE !!! What is we need is MB who is fair and square to all races. Say NO to ultra-chinese….or ultra-malay…or ultra-indian……!!!!
Malaysia being a multi racial country should not practise colour bar or dicrimination of races. We are one country one nation ,every race should enjoy equality and be treated fairly. In view of who should be the nnew MB of Perak,the party who who has the majority seats should be given and not the party has the least candidate.