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Focus Malaysia
a day ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Reflections from a Chinese Malaysian who attended the 'Turun Anwar' rally
Letter to Editor I WAS one of those minority non-Malays who attended the 'Turun Anwar' rally last Saturday. Crowd size debates aside, it was a success. Peaceful, orderly, and held with purpose. But if we are being honest, something was missing, and it was not just the numbers. What stood out most to me was the diversity, or in this case, the lack of it. I have been attending rallies since the Bersih days. Back then, the streets were filled with Malaysians from all walks of life and different backgrounds. The vibes were euphoric and there was a festival-like atmosphere to it. You felt like you were part of something bigger. At 'Turun Anwar', that multiracial spirit was hardly there. As a Chinese Malaysian, I could not help but notice how few non-Malays were present. This is not a criticism of those who stayed home, but a reflection of how disconnected they feel from today's opposition. A key part of this disconnect lies with the opposition leadership. For a movement to feel national, its leaders must sound national too. Instead, we are left with someone who once openly declared himself 'Malay first'. That statement, though made years ago, continues to shape public perception. It is difficult to expect broader support when the top opposition figure still carries the weight of that remark. This is not a personal attack on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin but it is fair to say that many Malaysians do not see him as a leader for all. His passivity as head of the country's opposition bloc stood in stark contrast from the passionate leadership that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had portrayed when the latter was leading the charge to bring down Barisan Nasional. Anwar's fiery speeches and how he was victimised by state apparatus such as going to jail, captured the imaginations of Malaysians. As head of the opposition coalition, Muhyiddin was content with rehashing media statements. Sadly, most non-Malays do not relate to the eighth prime minister, especially with several court cases hanging over his head and a son-in-law who is on the run. The opposition needs someone who can bring all Malaysians together with credibility and vision. Malaysia deserves an opposition that is inclusive, forward-looking, and unafraid to lead. Until then, many of us will stay away from such rallies and for better or worse, opt for the lesser of the two evils. Unless, of course, a new figure steps forward to change the conversation. ‒ July 28, 2025 Sebastian Ong Cheras, Kuala Lumpur The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Malay Mail/Firdaus Latif
Focus Malaysia
20-07-2025
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Mixed thoughts prevail among Malays, non-Malays to PMX's unreadiness to step down
SUCH seems to be the scenario if comments to two separate NST Online Facebook postings entitled Anwar: I Will Not Step Down and ' I Will Not Step Down' – PM Anwar on Calls for His Resignation can be translated into a poll. While the Malays tend to believe that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should be shown the exit door soonest for having failed to live up with expectations, non-Malays feel that PMX should at least be allowed to complete his full term till Malaysians go to the national polls again come the 16th General Election (GE16). The mixed reaction follows PMX's reiteration that he would not step down from his post despite calls for him to do so by the opposition. ' Insya Allah , I will not step down. If I steal the people's money, then they can call for me to step down. But I didn't do so,' he said in his speech at the ground-breaking ceremony of Kompleks Madani Teluk Kumbar in Penang yesterday (July 19). 'All government contracts go through an open tender process.' Added PMX who is also the Finance Minister: 'If they (detractors) have enough numbers, they can bring a vote (of no confidence). That is the way. 'They can pull support from any MPt to support them. If I lose, I will step down nicely. That is the peaceful way. 'If not, they can wait until the next election. When that will be (the general election), I haven't announced yet.' At a glance, it can be assumed that the Malays are more rebellious in their view of PMX as many belong to the opposition camp, hence are swayed by the opposition's propaganda amid the upcoming PAS-inspired 'Turun Anwar' on July 26 (Saturday). This aside, many UMNO members at the grassroots level have also grown disgruntled with their party leadership which has comprised its 'No DAP, No Anwar' stance by having forged the much chastised 'UMDAP' alliance. To make matters worse, the recent PKR central leadership polls have further split the key Pakatan Harapan (PH) party into two , namely the Damai faction of deputy president-elect Nurul Izzah Anwar and the Hiruk faction of incumbent deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli. Against such backdrop, it is not surprising for detractors to offer feedback like 'People hate PMX more than they hated Rosmah (alluding to wife of incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak) or 'He should step down as he failed as PM and not able to demo good role model as a leader'. On the other hand, non-Malays tend to opine that even if push comes to shove, PMX should at least be given an opportunity to helm Malaysia till GE16. Their justification ranges from there are no successor in sight, that he remains the best man for the job or in short, they still have faith in his quest to combat corruption. At the end of the day, what is sure is that PMX has 29 months on his side to initiate a turnaround that would restore the faith of Malaysians in him after a slew of miscalculations that have led to a build-up of trust deficit in him and his Madani administration . The clock ticking. – July 20, 2025
Malaysiakini
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
PAS' 'leaders for life' show lack of capable successors
YOURSAY | 'This ensures younger upstarts with new ideas don't rise and overthrow these dinosaurs.' PAS leaders usually remain until death - Takiyuddin Coward: It's PAS' choice on the issue of the term of office for its leader. However, this does sound like monarchic behaviour. In Perikatan Nasional, you only have PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang. In PAS, I can see only two other real leaders. The first is you, Takiyuddin Hassan, the party's secretary-general. However, while we see some signs of intelligence, you don't have any track record. The other is Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, whose only claim to leadership is that he is better than the rest. That is not a credit to him because the quality of the rest is frankly not up to scratch. Even then, he has nothing to show for in Terengganu. This is a red flag because he has been there for a long time. However, the most crucial issue here is Hadi. Is there only one able to stand up to Bersatu? Not even you, Takiyuddin, can do it? Although I am expecting and looking forward to a big ignominious fight between PAS and Bersatu when Hadi relinquishes his post, unlike some PAS leaders, I don't wish for anything bad to happen to him. That time will come and hopefully result in a better Malaysia. I don't care if it is at the expense of PAS or Bersatu. They are both expendable. Doc: I guess, Takiyuddin's statement is to ensure 'incompetence' carries on unhindered in PAS. It is also to ensure the younger generation of leaders with new ideas and experiences don't rise to overthrow these dinosaurs. PAS' modus operandi of blaming non-Malays and DAP for all the Malays' misfortune is being championed by the geriatric guards in PAS for aeons. But it is still effectively hoodwinking the Malay population. So, I guess, there is no reason to change the leadership. VioletOrca0545: The party that always claims that others are communists appears to be acting worse than communists. Whomever you choose as president is still human. Humans make mistakes, humans change, and there will always be someone better. By insisting a leader must be there until he or she dies, you are deifying whoever you choose as a leader. You are claiming that the person is perfect until the day he/she passed on. As a Muslim, you should know that the concept of perfection is only applicable to God and God alone. A Muslim can contribute to Islam regardless of whether he/she is president of the party or not. MerdekaMerdekaMerdeka: According to the Malaysiakini report, 'Takiyuddin cited previous PAS leaders - including former president Fadzil Noor and former spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat - as examples of those who remained in office until their deaths. 'So, in Islam, as long as we are able, we continue to struggle for Islam.' Takiyuddin, you are 100 percent correct. Ergo, one does not need to be affiliated with any political body to propagate Islam. One can even do it on one's deathbed. So, what is PAS trying to spin? Ahmad Dusuki Abdul Rani, an independent preacher who graduated from Al-Azhar University in the field of syariah and law, went further to label those challenging the clerical leadership as 'devils among humans and genies'. Hang on, Dusuki, isn't everyone at PAS the one and the same? This is a man-made criterion stemming from selfishness and greed. DontGetMeWrong: Well, it is not a surprise that PAS leaders, as well as their hardcore supporters, stick to the party for life. We hardly heard of any PAS leaders or supporters jumping ship. What are the reasons? It is because PAS has the exclusive rights to heaven for those who vote and support the party? How gullible can one be? Annonimous 4500: Yes, PAS leaders remain united until death. Is it because of their statutory declaration to the party before being selected as a candidate for the general election? Something is seriously wrong with all political parties which practice such a policy. This should be made illegal in today's modern world. HoyoHoyo: Hello Takiyuddin, this is exactly what was wrong with PAS. Your outdated leaders and religious teachings can usually remain until death. But the world has changed. The change is more rapid now. With bilateral trade realignment, shifts in geopolitics and advances in artificial intelligence, you are still inside a cave. Without reforms in leadership and doctrinal rules, death awaits PAS. Turnedback: What sort of silly reasons to allow someone who cannot contribute to hold on to power and position until he dies? This indicates that PAS cannot find a suitable candidate for the party; they are not willing to progress and direct the party. How are they going to run the country with such a mindset? The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
Malaysiakini
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
PAS' 'leaders for life' shows lack of capable successors
YOURSAY | 'This ensures younger upstarts with new ideas don't rise and overthrow these dinosaurs.' PAS leaders usually remain until death - Takiyuddin Coward: It's PAS' choice on the issue of the term of office for its leader. However, this does sound like monarchic behaviour. In Perikatan Nasional, you only have PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang. In PAS, I can see only two other real leaders. The first is you, Takiyuddin Hassan, the party's secretary-general. However, while we see some signs of intelligence, you don't have any track record. The other is Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, whose only claim to leadership is that he is better than the rest. That is not a credit to him because the quality of the rest is frankly not up to scratch. Even then, he has nothing to show for in Terengganu. This is a red flag because he has been there for a long time. However, the most crucial issue here is Hadi. Is there only one able to stand up to Bersatu? Not even you, Takiyuddin, can do it? Although I am expecting and looking forward to a big ignominious fight between PAS and Bersatu when Hadi relinquishes his post, unlike some PAS leaders, I don't wish for anything bad to happen to him. That time will come and hopefully result in a better Malaysia. I don't care if it is at the expense of PAS or Bersatu. They are both expendable. Doc: I guess, Takiyuddin's statement is to ensure 'incompetence' carries on unhindered in PAS. It is also to ensure the younger generation of leaders with new ideas and experiences don't rise to overthrow these dinosaurs. PAS' modus operandi of blaming non-Malays and DAP for all the Malays' misfortune is being championed by the geriatric guards in PAS for aeons. But it is still effectively hoodwinking the Malay population. So, I guess, there is no reason to change the leadership. VioletOrca0545: The party that always claims that others are communists appears to be acting worse than communists. Whomever you choose as president is still human. Humans make mistakes, humans change, and there will always be someone better. By insisting a leader must be there until he or she dies, you are deifying whoever you choose as a leader. You are claiming that the person is perfect until the day he/she passed on. As a Muslim, you should know that the concept of perfection is only applicable to God and God alone. A Muslim can contribute to Islam regardless of whether he/she is president of the party or not. MerdekaMerdekaMerdeka: According to the Malaysiakini report, 'Takiyuddin cited previous PAS leaders - including former president Fadzil Noor and former spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat - as examples of those who remained in office until their deaths. 'So, in Islam, as long as we are able, we continue to struggle for Islam.' Takiyuddin, you are 100 percent correct. Ergo, one does not need to be affiliated with any political body to propagate Islam. One can even do it on one's deathbed. So, what is PAS trying to spin? Ahmad Dusuki Abdul Rani, an independent preacher who graduated from Al-Azhar University in the field of syariah and law, went further to label those challenging the clerical leadership as 'devils among humans and genies'. Hang on, Dusuki, isn't everyone at PAS the one and the same? This is a man-made criterion stemming from selfishness and greed. DontGetMeWrong: Well, it is not a surprise that PAS leaders, as well as their hardcore supporters, stick to the party for life. We hardly heard of any PAS leaders or supporters jumping ship. What are the reasons? It is because PAS has the exclusive rights to heaven for those who vote and support the party? How gullible can one be? Annonimous 4500: Yes, PAS leaders remain united until death. Is it because of their statutory declaration to the party before being selected as a candidate for the general election? Something is seriously wrong with all political parties which practice such a policy. This should be made illegal in today's modern world. HoyoHoyo: Hello Takiyuddin, this is exactly what was wrong with PAS. Your outdated leaders and religious teachings can usually remain until death. But the world has changed. The change is more rapid now. With bilateral trade realignment, shifts in geopolitics and advances in artificial intelligence, you are still inside a cave. Without reforms in leadership and doctrinal rules, death awaits PAS. Turnedback: What sort of silly reasons to allow someone who cannot contribute to hold on to power and position until he dies? This indicates that PAS cannot find a suitable candidate for the party; they are not willing to progress and direct the party. How are they going to run the country with such a mindset? The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
New Straits Times
06-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Pahang Bersatu claims growing interest from non-Malays in associate wing
KUANTAN: Pahang Bersatu claims that a growing number of non-Malays across the state are expected to submit their applications to join its associate wing in the coming months. Pahang Bersatu chairman Datuk Abdul Khalib Abdullah said two prominent figures — former MCA Youth secretary Datuk Leong Kim Soon and former Pahang People's Progressive Party (MyPPP) women's chief Datuk Harvinder Kaur — joined Bersatu last month. "They will not be the last as we anticipate more non-Malays will sign up as Bersatu members. Some within MCA have begun expressing interest in joining... they see Perikatan Nasional as having the upper hand heading into the next general election. "We are expecting more to join us and it is likely only a matter of time," he told reporters after opening the 2025 Bersatu Indera Mahkota, Paya Besar, and Kuantan division annual conference. Khalib was representing PN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin at the event. Last week, Pahang Bersatu described the decision by Leong and Harvinder to join the party as a morale booster, highlighting Bersatu's openness to leaders from various ethnic backgrounds in pursuit of the people's agenda ahead of the general election. Meanwhile, Pahang Pas commissioner Datuk Rosli Abdul Jabar said that PN's door-to-door engagements during the "Jelajah PN Teraju Pahang" road tour transcend race and political differences. "We visit the homes of Umno members and engage with the Chinese and Indian communities, offering explanations on various matters. "When we meet with Chinese and Indian communities, we explain how PN governs in Kelantan and Terengganu. We want non-Malays to have a better understanding of what PN represents," he said.
