Meeting was Over

It was finally over. Luckily, this time around, traffic was not an issue. I remembered in the last few UMNO meetings, the road was practically a gridlock, especially at around 7, as the VIP were leaving the site, all with their accompanying police escort. At least, I have not seen any of those escorts this time around. But maybe because I tended to leave for home a bit later lately.

Regular readers to the blog understood my pet hate of the outriders. The Politicians used this unnecessarily in my opinion and it should only be used when they are absolutely needed. I tended not to give way to them. For me, it was not a matter of life and death. It was sad that people tended to give way to these jokers than they do to passing ambulances.

This year, despite not being the election year, the UMNO meeting had its share of excitement, no less with the Feedlot controversy, and the fiery speech from the Women Wing Head. Great stuff.

Unity Day on 13th May

13th May 1969 is seen as a black or red day depending on your viewpoint in our nation's history. I would not pretend to appreciate the whole gamut of feeling pertaining the date as I was born 3 years after. Everyone from my mother's generation have their own version of event, but what is striking, the subject is still treated at the same time as taboo and lessons to be learnt.

There was no clear clear picture of the event. It is not thought in school. There was no movies or objective documentary made of the event either. A lot of people in my generation were left guessing to the enigma of the date. The bloggers were going to town of course about the subject, but not all for the wrong reason. Should the subject be kept under the carpet, or perceived to be so as it is now?

The current generation craves knowledge. The internet basically opened the floodgate for them, and in searching for the appropriate information of the subject matter all it does is left plenty of question unanswered. A few years back, I was at a surau with my parents and the preacher or ustaz that came for the kuliyyah actually spoke about race relations in the years of the Prophet Muhammad and the Caliph. How tolerance was the key to success in the early days of Islam. Everything was going swimmingly well until he ranted along about May the 13th incident. How the death toll was higher that what's officially published, how further steps needed to be taken to stop another similar incident. A typical rant I thought. It got me thinking, how much does the ustaz really know about the subject?

He did not comment about the election held on the 10th. The victory parade by the mainly Chinese opposition (DAP and Perikatan) on the 12th going through of all places Kampung Baru. How the UMNO Youth rally commissioned the next day from the Selangor Menteri Besar's residence that resulted in 'open warfare' between the two races. Again I do not have all the facts. Everything I know is patchy. Unfortunately in my thirst for knowledge there is nowhere for me to turn to.

As one of the blogger suggested, why don't we turn this around and make May the 13th as something akin to Unity Day? I don't think the idea is half bad. It will certainly prevent May the 13th incident to be another political ranting come election day by the UMNO leaders. I can only but hope .....

And The Winners Are ....

A couple of days ago during lunch, sitting down with colleague, we just can't help but touch on the UMNO election. Bear in mind my colleagues are mainly Chinese. The main questions were 1) who will be the next Deputy President (basically the next Deputy Prime Minister) and 2) will Khairy win the Youth Head post?

The two questions are answered now. The only way for Muhyiddin to lose is if Ali Rustam's supported all shifted to Muhd Taib's camp. Khairy won by a landslide despite being given a warning only a few days back on his involvement in money politics. But truthfully, there was no major shock there.

I was actually surprised by he manner in which Shahrizat trounced Rafidah. Other eye-opening observations were the fact how badly the 'Menteri Besar's did in the Supreme Counsel election and the fact that there was only a solitary woman candidate selected. Azalina tried but failed to win a seat. The previous leaders of the Youth and Putera wings did well, with Hishamuddin landing the Vice President berth and Azeez a seat in the Supreme Council. It was also humbling to hear that Shahrir Samad offered his resignation from Cabinet after failing to stay in the SC. I always had time for him and I am sure he will find some way to serve. Maybe back to the PAC. Will this be the end for Azalina I wonder? Will this also send a message to both the Wanita and Puteri Wing that something needs to change. The change in the leaders can only be good and hopefully they will start afresh.

They is no time to dwell however as there will be three by-elections coming up in the next few weeks. It will be an early test of public opinion on Najib's leadership, although an unfair one. If BN wins, the critics will put it down to a new wind in the sails. Should BN loses then everyone will start writing about their downfall. It looks like a lose-lose situation. Well that's the price to be paid for having the elections so soon after the Assembly.

Update on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 1:35AM by Haris Abdul Rahman

After Idlan and Irfan slept, I managed to add in a photo gallery into the blog. In the last couple of weeks, I have been getting constructive criticism from readers like you. It was mentioned that my blog is relatively picturesque. Everyone knows I like to take photos. Should you wish to see my real portfolio, by all means please support my photography site - after I got the time to update them of course, of visit my sister site, mainly about my personal activities with my wife and children in Idlan's photo diary.

UMNO Conference Mania

UMNO and me has been connected for many years. I was born in Kepala Batas, Penang. Most of my immediate family still lives there. My grandfather's house was only about 200 yards away from Datuk Abdullah Badawi, the Prime Minister's house. Our family knew each other since I can remember. My grandfather, uncles and mother are all ardent supporters of UMNO. They really put their time and effort into it. They really believe in what UNO stands for. They believe that UMNO is the reason for Malaya (as Malaysia was known at the time) to gain independence from the British.

The spirit rubbed off to me. When I was a student i the UK, I was active in the UMNO Club there. By 1997, I was the UMNO Youth Head for the UK an Eire. Unfortunately then that I encountered first time on how politics can be dishonest and deceitful. I don't see it as my cup of tea. I like everything straight and I am more of a 'do'er than a talker. People close to me knew that. I didn't pursue UMNO anymore.

AT the turn of the Millennium, A fair few of my peers from UMNO left the organisation and joined the Opposition, Parti Keadilan. I still hear from them from time to time, so as from my friends that remained in UMNO. It is very clear there two kinds of people in both camps. The 'do'ers, the real core that get the things done, and another group that are in it for the power. Different political parties, but they are essential the same. Not all of them are corrupted. They are still a few that are genuinely to make a difference. But oftentimes they are the ones that shied away from the limelight. The unsung hero of the group.

This evening, we will learn who will be elected as the Vice and Deputy President, cum the Deputy Prime Minister. I hope it is the 'do'er in him that gets him elected. Hopefully there will also be less of this.

UMNO Election and Traffic Jam

I was glued to the TV most of tonight waiting for the UMNO election results. The Wanita wing has been announced where Dato' Seri Shahrizat absolutely trounced the incumbent Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz by a majority of 327. I wonder what have been going through Rafidah's mind because common wisdom dictates that she should have stepped down. The suspicion is Rafidah was planning to plant her people in Wanita UMNO hierarchy before stepping proper, forcing Shahrizat, 10 years Rafidah's junior, should she be competing and won the Deputy post will have to be an acting Head for the next 3 years with Rafidah's pals are in the higher echelon. Well, that is just my 2 sen. Credit to Shahrizat, she tried her hardest to defuse the situation during her acceptance speech.

The Puteri wing leaders has been decided, but I did not have the chance to peruse through the candidates. As for the UMNO Youth, the results has not been announced yet at the time I am writing this blog. I will update later.

I don't really have much of preference at this point in time in terms of who I wanted to win for the wing leaderships. I am however keen to know who the Deputy President will be as he will be the next Deputy Prime Minister. I got a strong feeling that it will go to Tan Sri Muhyidin. To be honest, there aren't that many alternatives in the current crop of leaders.

The way UMNO election works is by representative democracy. The basic unit in the UMNO structure is called a branch. The next unit up is the division. Each division, depending on it member size will have a quota of 'representatives' to the UMNO election held every three years. These 'representatives' are the ones who will be casting the votes. Although the system is thought to be more efficient, in terms of time and cost, it is certainly open for manipulation with money and power. In the week leading up to the election, the were a few revelations made by the UMNO Disciplinary Committee concerning abuse of power. A candidate for the Deputy President was consequently barred only last week, definitely raising a few eye-brows.

The thing that bothered me the most about the UMNO meeting is the fact that I have to endure a traffic jam en route home. The venue where the event was held is right next to the main ring road in KL. I have to remember to avoid the area tomorrow, when I think the meeting will start to heat up. I'll probably retire early tonight as I am still recovering from the weekend trip to Ipoh.

I have also updated Idlan's photo page earlier.

Update on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 12:28AM by Haris Abdul Rahman

Khairy won the Youth Head post. Listening to excerpts of his acceptance speech now.