Aliran media statement

http://www.aliran.com/


Unconvincing claim that ‘anyone can be PM’
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi’s comment that it is possible for anyone, regardless of race and religion, to be the nation’s leader, if the rakyat wanted it to happen sounds rather unconvincing. It even sounds ridiculous.


The truth of the matter is that it could only happen if Umno agrees or permits it to happen - which is utterly impossible. It can only happen if the BN is defeated and an alternative party or coalition which is not race-based comes into power. Until then it will only remain wishful thinking.


When a qualified person like Low Siew Moi cannot be accepted as the acting CEO of PKNS, what hope is there for higher political office to be occupied by someone regardless of colour and creed? Just take note of the vehement opposition that is being mounted against her appointment solely because she is not a Malay.

Has the Prime Minister condemned this unreasonable opposition to this well-deserved appointment?


Malaysians had for 50 years given their support to the Alliance/Barisan Nasional. All the component parties had participated in the election not under their party banner. They stood under the BN banner and were accordingly elected.


In view of this, the MCA had requested that a second BN Deputy Chairman’s post be created and filled by someone from the MCA. (At present the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Secretary General of the BN are all from Umno.) It has also been suggested that the Deputy Prime Minister could be decided by the component parties of the BN.


What has been the response from the Prime Minister? If he had responded positively to these suggestions, then we can see some hope for the emergence of non-racial politics in Malaysia.
Until then, we can continue to hear words that have no meaning.

P Ramakrishnan
President
6 November 2008



Aliran media statement


http://www.aliran.com/


Barack Obama’s election offers a lesson


Aliran applauds the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America. It was a stunning victory that recorded a landslide majority. It was a victory that brought together ordinary Americans of different shades and faiths to elect the first Afro-American in a historic decision that clearly responded to Obama’s call: Time for change.



The victory has put to an end the old prejudices of the past that have persisted for centuries. It has freed Americans from their narrow mindset that had discriminated and deprived others from the marginalised communities a chance to progress as human beings on an equal footing.
While the Americans chose to look forward to their future with hope, sadly there are others elsewhere who are still trapped in their age-old prejudices that discriminate against others based on their colour and creed. They can’t look forward confidently but prefer to cling to the past as a solution to their progress.



We in Aliran hope that Obama will bridge the gap that divides the rich and the poor, the West and the East, the Muslims and the others. We hope that he will heal the wounds inflicted by war and deprivation of poverty. We hope that he will bring about a just peace to the Middle East, end the Occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, shut down Guantanamo Bay and put an end to rendition (the outsourcing of torture to third countries).



We believe that there is a lesson to be learnt from the outcome of the American election.


Aliran Executive Committee
6 November 2008