Monday 31 December 2012

New Year Message 2013


As we come to the end of 2012, let me wish you a very blessed New Year. I shall take a leaf from Churchill's New Year message in 1946 albeit slightly amended. We, the Rakyat can only purchase our victory by the greatness of our nature and our own unflinching efforts. We can only win our freedom by our character and hard work. There is no easy path to prosperity. UBAH Sekarang dan Selamatkan Malaysia (Change Now and Save Malaysia) still remains the call which leads us on ! 


Pakatan Rakyat's Agenda Wanita




As we mourn Damini's demise, I want to highlight Pakatan Rakyat's Agenda Wanita's (Women's Agenda). Pakatan Rakyat has forseen such problems and came up with the Agenda Wanita which has seven (7)  focus areas, inter alia, the 1st focus area: Falsafah Hormat Wanita (Respect for women philosophy) and gender sensitivity in education; the 4th focus area : the social well-being and safety of women; and the 6th focus area : the empowerment of women legally and the enforcement and improvement of laws pertaining to violence crimes, sexual harassment, domestic violence, discrimination against women. 

The Women’s Agenda is holistic and systemic. i.e a one stop centre solution to most of the women’s issues and problems faced by women. It starts from education which inculcates the philosophy of respecting women; continuing with the social well-being and safety of women; and ends with the legal empowerment and legal enforcements (which should be the last resort). This reminds me of the concept of Trimurthi (Trinity) in Hindusim i.e Brahma (creation), Vishnu (preserver) and Shiva (destroyer) !! 

A pat on our backs for this mammoth effort. We shall be able to implement these when we takeover Putrajaya ! 


Saturday 29 December 2012

Time to rise up !


As the President of Soroptimist International Club of Seremban, I condemn this barbaric act. Just as we walked on the streets to stop violence against women last month, we are faced with yet another act of violence against a helpless woman. Enough of rhetorics about channeling our emotion into a more constructive course of action. We need to come out of our comfort zones and ivory towers. The victim could be your daughter, wife, sister or mother. Time to rise up ! 


Damini is a symbolic name given to the 23 year old victim, taken from a Hindi movie about a woman fighting for justice against society for a rape victim. It is important for women to raise their collective voice, but it should be for all women and all victims of the violence embedded in our society !

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/lets-ask-how-we-contribute-to-rape/article4235902.ecea

Thursday 27 December 2012

Tribute to my late father, Tang Seng Huang


Tribute to my father, Tang Seng Huang @ Tan Seng Huang



This is a compilation of snippets I wrote on my FB page. Warning : Please do not read if you feel uncomfortable about reading such private and honest (straight from the heart) stuff  -


It's 2.35 am and I am still quite awake. I want to put more of my thoughts down before my memory fails me. Why did I join politics? Actually, my late dad was pretty instrumental. Ever since I could remember, he was a strong Rocket supporter.


Let me share about my late dad. My late grandfather died when my dad was only a toddler. My widowed grandmother had to take care of four children by working odd jobs. My dad had to quit school to start work after finishing his LCE. He worked from rank and file and retired as a junior manager in Guthrie Chemara. He was the sole breadwinner.


Despite his handicap, he was a great table tennis player, so I was told. He was truly an inspiration to us. He could jump and run faster than any other able bodied person. In fact, he preferred to jump up and down the staircase instead of walking. I never really felt that he was handicapped except for the fact that one of his legs was much smaller than the other.


My dad's friends told me that he was very good in Maths. He joined Guthrie's after he left school and never left the company except for a short stint in Indonesia. He made sure we went to his former school, ACS. He had foresight too. He sent me for computer lessons when I was in Form 3 or 4. He managed to bring up four children and educate us with a miserly salary.


He was my best friend when I was growing up. He brought me to watch movies when I was only a kid. He was an avid "Movie News" reader. I learnt about a lot about Hollywood stars from those magazines. In the process, I was unwittingly trained to read and write English. He taught himself how read and write in Chinese as he was a banana person (Yellow skinned but speak the white language i.e  Chinese but can’t read or write in Chinese).


After learning chinese on his own, my dad could read chinese and even preached in chinese. He was helping out in the church. He doted on me, being the eldest. My sisters can attest to that. He always told me that I should have been born a son. I was a tomboy.


Being the firstborn, I was expected to be family's spokesperson in my father's absence. He brought me as his companion for his company functions as my mom, being Chinese-educated was not very comfortable socialising with my dad's colleagues. I was trained as a socialite that way ! Due to my unsatisfactory results (might I add, the quota system), I couldn't read law in the local university.


I shall write a tribute to my cousin, Tan Moh Huat, my cousin and my mentor. Moh Huat was like a son to my dad. I sort of followed whatever Moh Huat did as he was 9 years older than me. He went to science stream, I too went to science stream even though I couldn't fathom why one needs to calculate the speed of the raindrops falling on the car windscreen at a certain degree with the car travelling at a certain speed ?? I was non-plussed !


Moh Huat then went on to become a lawyer. So I wanted to follow his footsteps. Hence, I chose law. Anyway, back to my dad. He was financially strapped, earning a meagre salary and feeding 5 mouths. He advised me to work in a bank and find a nice man to settle down. That was the only instance of which he was not gender sensitive, due his dire financial situation. I was very adamant to read law. I told him I will go for the college with the lowest fees. I found one college that offered LLB London (External). It was more like a tuition centre.


Despite being the cheapest, my dad had to struggle really hard. Seeing his struggle, I decided to put all my efforts into my studies. I travelled daily back and forth between Seremban and KL. On a daily basis, he would ferry me to and fro between the bus stop and our house. He was a very patient man.


After I graduated with flying colours (more on that later), my other mentor offered me a job in Lee Boon Peng and Co. It was my first job and I am still happily practising my law for the past 16 years. Talking about foresight, my dad paid for my braces as I was quite broke as a chambering student earning RM700-00 a month. He said the image is very important. One must look good in order to create a good first impression!


My dad was a selfless person who put us first before anything. He never thought of going for escapades or vacations without us. He only travelled for work purposes. I remember being puzzled when I overheard him telling my mom that he was returning his per diem allowance to his company as he couldn't finish spending his allowance. Guthrie sent him to Nigeria, Indonesia, Vietnam and UK for work. He would return and share very interesting anecdotes about each country.


One thing about my dad. He was an interesting person. He could hold an audience with his animated conversation and wit. In Nigeria, he said that the lizards were as big as iguanas. He said imagine many iguanas scrambling all over the walls and ceilings. That sent shivers down my spine. He said that he specially requested to see how the natives live in Nigeria. He was brought to a remote village and was given a warm welcome. The village head invited him for a meal and the interpreter told him that the villagers prepared the best meal for him. With much anticipation, my dad went to the dinner expecting a sumptuous fare only to be served with a plate of gooey stuff. Much to my dad's chagrin their best dish was fufu, made of mashed yam, cassava and vegetables. Another interesting account was he said one day, he went into the kitchen and found the cook playing with a big fat worm. He asked whether it was her pet. She smiled and said that it was her dinner !


My father was a very honest, meticulous and loyal employee. He was so meticulous that he would bring along his notebook to see his ex boss, Christie Roberts, when summoned. He used to come back and said that it was not easy working for Roberts as he was very fastidious. I used to imagine my dad being bullied at work and my heart sank everytime. That was a lesson for me to be empathetic towards my own staff. He had to endure all these hardships because he was the sole breadwinner.


 Nowadays, young people's threshold is pretty low. They will quit or choose to become their own boss at the slightest reason. But all's well that ends well. The great Christie Roberts came to my dad's wake. In fact, he was one of the few of the "big guns" or my dad's ex-bosses in Guthrie Chemara that came for the wake/funeral. I greeted him being the spokesperson (as usual). I was trying to be as cordial as I could. All my bad thoughts, all my preconceived thoughts all disappeared and my heart melted when I saw the tears in Christie Roberts' eyes. Here he was, touted as an arrogant and no nonsense guy, shedding tears for my dad. My dad must have done something great to deserve such honour!


Our last family photo (with my father) together. 
Seated from left to right : My father, Tang Seng Huang and my mother, Tang See Moy
Standing from left to right : My youngest sister, Tang Lee Chen; my third sister, Tang Lee Yan; my second sister, Tang Lee Lee; my goodself; and my husband, Aldrin Chan

My little handsome boy !


I have three younger sisters of four girls bestowed on my parents. I am the odd one out with a law degree. My three sisters are engineers. We are all married but only my second sister, Lee Lee has a kid. Lee Lee married Dr Chan Kok Yu, an orthopedic surgeon who is going to start his practice with Gleneagles, Penang. Their son's name is Chan Mun Kong (MK) aka handsome boy aka zhai zhai. He celebrated his first birthday on the 14th of December, 2012 in Penang on the eve of  the DAP Annual Congress. He is the apple of our eyes. He looks so much like our late father. His big eyes and long eyelashes. His mischievous squint. His laughter. MK just started to walk. My mom commented that he walks like a drunkard. He is now in Seremban and leaving on Friday. I am glad I managed to spend some quality time with him. He is so affectionate too. I am going to miss him much !!


His favourite word is McDonald's. He would laugh heartily upon hearing the word. I doubt he knows what it means though.


With my mom and his second cousin, Esther Tan



MK not in the bestest of moods. 

Tuesday 25 December 2012

The Firefighter's Plight




The Firefighter's Plight


I want to share the firefighter's plight with you. Let's say an arsonist started a fire. The firefighter then comes and tries to extinguish the fire. The arsonist then tries to sabotage the firefighter's effort.


In the late 80s, Chan Ah Chye, a former engineer and project manager in Selangor state subsidiary PKNS formed Talam Corporation. He was the crony of BN Menteri Besar, Muhammad Muhammad  Taib and became a major player in the Selangor development scene. An extremely large amount of state land was alienated to Talam for a song. Talam’s modus operandi was to use the land for huge loans to finance their projects. Talam’s loan kept growing. Talam also owed MBI (Menteri Besar Incorporated) a huge sum of money i.e RM392 million.


In 2008, Pakatan took over Selangor and Khalid Ibrahim became the MB. Khalid inherited a situation in which Talam owes MBI the said RM392 million. Khalid, an expert in corporate finance then planned to recover the RM392 million from Talam, which was owed to Selangorians. Khalid and his team succeeded. For a more information, please read Nathaniel Tan’s article :
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/202941.


The story does not end here. Chua Tee Yong then comes along and cries wolf. He claimed that MBI’s restructuring was tainted with scandal. However, Chua did not do his homework properly. He reduced the amount of money claimed to be ‘misused’ by Selangor - from RM1 billion, to RM260 million, to RM42 million. Using “The Star” as his mouthpiece, Chua continued attacking Pakatan with his malicious lies.


Summary : There you have it. A fire (Talamgate) started by an arsonist (BN). A firefighter (Pakatan) managed to extinguish the fire. Instead of thanking the firefighter for saving the fire, the arsonist (BN) tried to sabotage the firefighter’s (Pakatan) effort, by claiming that it was done wrongly !


What shall we do with an arsonist such as BN ? Kick the arsonist out in GE13 !!!

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消防员的困境

我想和大家分享一个有关消防员的困境的比喻。

一名纵火犯正在点火,消防员接着赶到,企图扑灭这场火,可是此刻,纵火犯却企图暗算消防员,不让他灭火。
在八〇年代后期,雪州政府子公司PKNS成立了一家公司,名为达南集团(Talam Corporation),当时,前工程师陈雅才(Chan
Ah Chye)在里头担任计划项目经理。他是国阵州务大臣泰益的朋党,顺理成章的,也是雪州发展蓝图中重要的角色。当时,达南集团轻而易举的获得了州内大片的土地,达南集团的运作模式就是利用这些土地获得巨额贷款,以金援他们的发展计划。达南的贷款不断攀升,与此同时,达南也欠下州务大臣公司(Menteri
Besar IncorporatedMBI)巨款,数目高达三亿九千二百万令吉。

2008年,民联执政雪州,卡立伊布拉欣上任成为州务大臣。于是,达南集团欠下的三亿九千二百万令吉债务,也由州务大臣卡立所继承。卡立是一名企业财务专才,他设下重组计划,以协助达南集团摊还这笔对雪州人民欠下的三亿九千二百万令吉的贷款。卡立和他的团队的计划获得成功,纤细内容可参阅
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/202941

可是,事情并未就此结束,此时蔡志勇突然杀出,大喊大叫。他声称州务大臣公司的重组计划当中有丑闻。他利用星报作为他的喉舌,利用他恶毒的谎言不断攻击民联。可是,蔡志勇却没把功课做好就胡乱发言,结果漏洞百出,把原本说过的十亿令吉『雪州滥用的款项』,一再的『修正』,结果由十亿令吉,二亿六千万令吉,最后降低至四百二十万令吉。

如果使用上述比喻,这把火(达南门)由纵火犯(国阵)开始点燃,消防员(民联)成功灭火,可是纵火犯(国阵)却不感激消防员,反而企图暗算消防员(民联),指责它做错事。

像国阵这样的纵火犯,我们该怎么做呢?方案只有一个,在第13届全国大选时,把这个纵火犯踢出局!

Monday 24 December 2012

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea





Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (A Myth Created by BN) - Debunked

I. Myth 1 : Dr Mahathir in his Chedet blog said that Malaysians are better off with the devil you know (BN) than the angel you don’t (PR). Dr M is trying to use another age old trick, fear of the unknown.


Debunked 1 : The problem with this thinking is that PR’s capabilities are not unknown anymore. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Proof 1 : We are lucky to have 4 states (Penang, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan) to showcase our capabilities. We managed to run the states with well. So well that it was certified by the Auditor General himself and tabled in the Parliament.


Proof 2 : The BN’s government’s policies are merely mimicking Pakatan’s policies. Like the handouts to the senior citizens and newborn babies in Penang and Selangor. However, the similarities ended there as Pakatan is not like BN who needs to borrow money to give handouts. Due to prudent management, Pakatan states can give back to the Rakyat.



II. Myth 2 : The smokescreens that BN are putting in front of our supporters are selective. In front of Chinese supporters, they (MCA) use hudud and Islamic state. In front of Malays, they (UMNO and Perkasa) use Chinese Menteri Besar and Christian state.


Debunked 2.1 : Islamic state/hudud laws cannot be implemented due to the following reasons –


(i) The Federal Constitution needs to be amended. Mathematically is impossible as there are only 130 Muslim MPs. In order to amend the constitution, we need at least 2/3rds of the total number of Parliamentarians. We need 148 MPs;
(ii) UMNO keeps insisting that they never brought up the hudud issue. Latest being Nazri (Minister in the PM’s Department) http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/bn-never-raised-hudud-issue-says-minister/ ;


(iii) Pakatan’s Buku Jingga and Common Policy Framework does not contain Hudud laws or Islamic state. We need the 3 parties approval before we implement a policy.
Debunked 2.2 : A non-muslim Menteri Besar or Christian state is not possible due to the following reasons :-


(i) In states with Rulers as the head of state, the state constitution clearly require a Muslim Menteri Besar. Hence, a non-Muslims can never be the Menteri Besar;
(ii) In Negeri Sembilan, state DAP chief, Anthony Loke has time and time again reminded NS folks that it is impossible under the state constitution to have a non-Muslim MB. Further, Anthony has announced many times that if Pakatan takes over Negeri Sembilan, the MB must be a Muslim pursuant to the state constitution;
(iii) Christians make up only about 10% of the populace. It is not only a minority. It is the minority in a minority because Christians consists of only Indians and Chinese (who makes up only 40% of the populace). Our Federal Constitution defines Malays as Muslims and Malays cannot convert lest they be charged for apostasy. How can a minority in a minority take over the country?


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(国阵制造的)魔鬼与蓝深海之间 (西西留的翻)

1.
谜团一:马哈迪医生在他的博客中说过,「熟悉的魔鬼好过不熟悉的天使」,老马正在试图重施故伎,让人们惧怕未知的事物。

谜底一:这种思维的问题是,民联的能力不再是未知数,它被证明是经得起考验的。

证据一:很幸运的,我们有四个州(槟州、雪州、吉打和吉兰丹)展示我们的执政能力,我们有能力把这些州属管理得很好,甚至获得国家稽查司提呈国会的报告中获得印证。

证据二:国阵的政策不过是在模仿民联政策。就像槟州和雪州的乐龄人士和新生婴儿的津贴。尽管如此,民联和国阵两者间不同之处在于,民联无需借钱来给予人民这些津贴。因为谨慎的管理,民联州有能力回馈人民。

2.
谜团二:国阵选择性的在他们的支持者前大抛烟幕。在华裔支持者间,他们(马华)利用回教断肢法和回教国这个课题;在马来社会中,他们(巫统和土权)利用华裔州务大臣和基督国的课题。

谜底二:回教国/回教断肢法不能被实施,理由如下:

(i) 必须修改联邦宪法。如果由数目字来看,我国目前有130名国会议员。如果要修改联邦宪法,需至少国会议员中的三分二的支持率,因此,需要148名国会议员才能办到。

(ii) 巫统不断强调,他们从未提出断肢法的课题。最近一次提出这个课题的是首相署部长纳兹里。
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/bn-never-raised-hudud-issue-says-minister/

(iii) 民联黄皮书和共同政策框架未包含回教断肢法或回教国。我们需三党统一才能实施这一政策。

谜底二:委任一名非穆斯林州务大臣或成立基督国是不可能的,理由如下:

(i) 在一个州属中,统治者是州首脑,州宪法明确规定州务大臣必须是穆斯林。因此,非穆斯林不能成为州务大臣。

(ii) 在森州,我们的州联委会主席陆兆福不断的提醒森州人民,在州宪法下,非穆斯林成为州务大臣是不可能的。此外,兆福也多次宣布,如果民联执政森州,依据州宪法,州务大臣必须是一名穆斯林。

(iii) 基督教徒只占人口的10%,他们不仅是少数,而且是少数中的少数,因为只有印裔和华裔基督教徒(华印裔只占人口的40%)。我国联邦想法定义马来人必须是穆斯林,如果马来人改教,将被控叛教。一个人口中少数中的少数,如何夺取这个国家呢


Wednesday 19 December 2012

Eventful day (19th Dec, 2012) : Calendars and First time in 火箭报 !!

I had quite an eventful day today. Went to the Pasar Besar to distribute my calendars (note : calendars with my mug shot) together with all the YBs. Last year, I helped them to distribute their calendars. This year, I got to distribute mine. Fancy that ! Here's a copy :


To top things up, my article appeared for the very first time in the chinese version of  The Rocket !


As my husband always reminded me : God is good !






Mulan Movement !

Mulan Movement

Today, I had an epiphany. Mulan Movement came into my mind. I was thinking about women who have had positive and lasting impacts on our lives. One would be hard pressed to think of many female heroines who were powerful and inspiring in history. The one that resonates most with me is Mulan.

Once upon a time in ancient China (as written in a poem dated 5 AD), there was an invasion on the borders of Mulan's homeland. The emperor demanded that every family provide a soldier to be conscripted for his army. Mulan's father had been a soldier before. He was well trained and had passed his skills on to Mulan. By then, he was too frail to fight. Her brother was too young. Mulan’s father was called to join the army. Mulan knew that he would be killed, so she offered to go in his place, dressed as a man. Mulan spent 12 years fighting the war and rose to the rank of general. When the war was over, Mulan went back to her hometown.

Mulan was known as one of ancient China's greatest women with swords.
Mulan had both capability(
本事) and courage(本色). She had the skill because she was trained in the art of war by her father and she had the courage to take her father’s place despite the fact that she had to go under disguise and be amongst the men to fight the northern marauders.

There was a Shanghai-produced silent movie called “Mulan Joins the Army” (木蘭從軍) . I would like the urge all the womenfolk in Malaysia to join the army of CHANGE or UBAH. Women must rise up and fight, not in the physical sense but to be empowered. Women should not beg; women should not always be at the receiving end. Women should not suffer in silence. Women should be encouraged to speak up. Women should echo other people who champion the same cause. Women should follow, join and support the cause. Women should advocate for reform and champion for issues. Women should actively participate in activism like Stop Lynas, BERSIH, Walk for Justice, Green Walk, Occupy Dataran, Candlelight Vigils etc. Women should educate others not to trade votes for BN’s bribery. Women should educate others not to end up like beggars. Women should encourage others to use their votes at the local and federal level, to be agents of CHANGE/UBAH to influence their husbands, children, relatives and friends. Women should unite and fight sexist, racist and feudalistic behaviour. Let’s call this movement the “Mulan Movement”. What say you ?

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木兰运动

今天我突发奇想,『木兰运动』浮现我的脑海,我当时想起一名在我们生活中具有正向和历久弥新的影响力的女性,在历史中很难有这样强大和鼓舞人心的女英雄,这位最能让我感触的人即是花木兰。

在中国古代(文字记载于公元五世纪),花木兰家乡遭敌军犯境。当时的皇帝命令向每户人家征召一名士兵。木兰的父亲曾当兵,他武艺高强,同时也传授了给木兰。可是,木兰的父亲已经老迈,她的弟弟又年幼,木兰的父亲于是被征召入伍。木兰知道,父亲年事已高,此番出征,想必凶多吉少。于是,她把自己装扮成男儿,代父从军。花木兰奔驰沙场十二载,立功无数,最终被册封为大将军。

战后,木兰卸甲归田,从此人称花木兰为中国历史上手中握剑的伟大女性。

花木兰胆色和才干兼备,她的父亲把一身高强的兵法传授了给她,而她胆色过人,代父从军,女扮男装,与男人并肩作战,抵御北方的侵略者。

以前有一部上海制作的无声电影《木兰从军》,我呼吁马来西亚的女性加入《改变》的大队,女性必须崛起和抗争,不是在体力上,而是在于自身的授权。女性不是包袱,女性不该逆来顺受,女性不该在沉默中继续忍受痛苦,女性应该被鼓励发言,女性应该为其他为了社稷大业而发起的运动而给予回响,女性应跟随、参与和支持这些事业。女性应该为种种的课题,倡议改革和发动运动。女性应该积极参与类似《停止莱纳斯》、《净选盟》、《绿色苦行》、《占领独立广场》、烛光会,等等的公民运动。女性应该教育其他人,不要因为国阵的贿选而出卖自己的选票,女性应该教育他人,不要活像毫无自尊的乞丐,女性应该鼓励其他人,好好利用他们手中州议席和国会议席选票,参与《改变》的助选员,影响他们的丈夫、子女、亲戚和朋友。

女性应该团结起来,对抗大男人主义者、种族极端份子和封建主义。让我们称之为『木兰运动』,您意下如何? 

Don't be duped by BN's Bread and Circuses


Don’t be Duped by BN’s Bread and Circuses

The term "Bread and Circuses" (Latin: panem et circenses) is a figure of speech for a fake sense of satisfaction or the “feel good” factor. In the case of politics, the phrase is used to describe the garnering of public approval through manipulation and/or the instant/quick mere satisfaction of the shallow requirements of the citizens. In other words, as "panadols" for quick fixes. Juvenal (a Roman poet) defined it as “a simplistic motivation of common people”. The phrase is taken to describe a populace that no longer values civic virtues and the public life. To politicians, it connotes the winning formula for the survival of the Roman Republic for centuries. Both the Roman Republic and China’s Han dynasty lasted for 500 years. The former used “bread and circuses” whilst the latter was an absolute monarchy. Instead of winning the citizens’ approval through excellent public service and policies, the Roman Republic gave cheap food and entertainment. The Roman Republic provided the bread and circuses in order to
order to keep the Roman citizens from becoming too discontent with their lives. The Roman government provided the citizens with enough food (bread) so they wouldn't starve and enough entertainment (circuses) so they would be amused. Hence, the Romans elected them again and again.
BN’s breads are the 1Malaysia goodies and handouts (BR1M Part 1 & 2, free tyres for taxi drivers, smart phone allowances for young adults, FELDA’s RM15,000, pay rise for civil servants, etc). BN’s latest “ bread” was announced by Najib : “Najib Announces RM2.98 Billion for Sabah next year” (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/najib-announces-rm2.98b-for-sabah-next-year/).

BN's circuses shows are the alphabet soup management (ETP, GTP, NKRA etc); not forgetting tarring the roads before any General elections. Another great circus show was Najib’s "groundbreaking" announcement in his Malaysia Day's speech. He said the government shall repeal the 3 Emergency Declarations and the draconian statutes like ISA, Printing Presses and Publications Act and Banishment Act. They were BN's powerful weapons to curb opposition and Rakyat who do not accept the government's policies. Why should BN take away these powerful weapons ? It is actually for BN's political survival. Like the lizard's survival skill. The lizard will shed its tail in order to escape for its predator/death.

Food (or bread) for thought : is BN using the age old formula of “Bread and Circuses” to survive another general elections ? Are we gullible enough to allow that to happen again ?

N.B : Steven Sim’s article “Is A Country A Brand?” also touches on bread and circuses.

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 Chinese translation by CC Liew :
别被国阵的『面包和马戏』给骗了




『面包和马戏』(Bread and Circuses)或在拉丁文中称为『panem et circenses』,指的是向群众说好话或『美好感觉』的人。从政治角度而言,这名词用来形容那些在民众肤浅的需求下,通过操弄和让群众有快感的情况下,以获取公众瞩目的行为。换句话说,这犹如只能止痛,不能治本的『班纳杜』止痛药。

罗马讽刺诗人朱韦纳尔(Juvenal)称之为『老百姓的单纯动机』(a simplistic motivation of common people),这个名词被用来形容不再尊重公民美德和公共存亡(the public life)的民众。

对政治人物而言,这是罗马共和国称霸几个世纪的致胜守则。罗马共和国和中国汉朝分别维持了近五百年,前者利用『面包和马戏』,而后者则是君主专制政体。罗马共和国不通过优良的公共服务和政治以赢得公民的支持,反而只提供公民廉价的食物和娱乐。罗马共和国提供面包和马希,以便罗马公民不会为生活而过于不满。罗马政府提供公民们足够的食物(面包)好让他们不会饿肚子,通化市还有足够的娱乐(马戏),以便他们能开怀大笑。结果,罗马人一次又一次的投票给他们。

国阵的『面包』是『一个马来西亚』名下各式各样的甜头(一马援助金第一期和第二期、德士司机的免费轮胎、给青少年的智能手机津贴、联邦土地局的一万五千令吉、公务员加薪,等等)。国阵的最新一个『面包』是刚宣布的《中央政府“大计划”发展沙巴,纳吉宣布明年拨款30亿令吉》(http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/211647

国阵的『马戏』即是一盆满是英文字母的大杂烩(ETP、GTP、NKRA等等),当然也不忘在全国大选前铺一铺马路。纳吉的另一个精彩『马戏』是他在马来西亚日演说中的『破天荒』大宣布,他说,政府应该解除三项紧急状态,以及废除恶名昭彰的法令,例如内安法令、印刷法令和驱逐出境法令,这些曾经是国阵的强大武器,以用来钳制那些不接受政府政策的在野党和人民。

为何国阵宁愿放下这些强大的武器呢?其实,这只不过是为了让国阵能够继续苟存,就像蜥蜴的生存技能,蜥蜴能甩掉尾巴,以逃避捕食者或死亡威胁。

让我们深思:国阵是否正在利用『面包和马戏』的伎俩,以让自己苟存到下届全国大选呢?我们是否还是如此天真烂漫的再度让这些事继续发生吗?

註:沈志强在最近发表于火箭报的英文版文章《国家是一个大面包吗?》(Is A Country A Brand?)也触及了面包和马戏的论点。