Tag: reformasi

Gerimis Mengundang

~ The Koboi Project

The audio played on the megaphone during the flag raising in the Pokok Pauh Janggi performance (see notes) is Gerimis Mengundang is a Malaysian chart topping single from the band Slam. It was released in 1996 and it permeated the airways and the hearts of the nation. I had just returned to Malaysia to take up a position at the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and this song resonates within me still, just as it does, I suggest, with the saga that underpins the present state of our national polity, with a particular poignance if interpreted in terms of the Anwar Ibrahim saga! It is worthy of mention that it began to drizzle (gerimis) over the performance area in the course of the event. Later we learnt from observers that it had only rained in the Kapallorek Artspace area and not the surrounding area.

Kusangkakan panas berpanjangan
Rupanya gerimis rupanya gerimis
Mengundang ah ha ha ha
Dalam tak sedar ku kebasahan

​Music and lyrics by Saari Amri © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Anwar <3 Zahid?

~ The Koboi Project

Given the news of the dropping of 47 corruption and other charges against Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi, Murray Hunter seems to have been spot on when, in December 2022 ,he wrote, “There is no doubt a new attorney general and public prosecutor, will either drop the charges, or in ‘sandiwara’ (roleplay) manner argue Zahid’s prosecution poorly enough to force an acquittal. What is important here was that High Court Judge Yazid Mustafa in Zahid’s recent case, ruled the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against Zahid.” 
 
My own take on this is that, in collaborating with UMNO to form his Unity Government, Anwar, arguably, crossed over to take leadership (by proxy no doubt) of the Party that had kicked him out under the auspices of his nemesis, Mahathir Mohamed. Now, with Zahid on the tight leash of the DNAA (discharge not amounting to an acquittal ), there may be a strong incentive for his UMNO to conform to Anwar’s imperatives. With reference to Mariam Moktar’s scathing critique of his Malaysia Madani agenda, this news makes it seem that Anwar Ibrahim has moved on, leaving his Reformasi and Harapan fellows reeling and blinking in the dust whipped up in his wake. Alternatively, he is just moving forward pragmatically, with the imperative of securing the prevailing Multi-ethnic Malaysian governance paradigm, in the face of an impending Green Tsunami led by PAS, as outlined by none other than the same Mariam Mokhtar.

See also –

Ke Mana Malaysia Kita? 11

Ke Mana Malaysia Kita? 13

Ke Mana Malaysia Kita? 14

Ke Mana Malaysia Kita? 15

IMAGE: https://cilisos.my/in-1998-zahid-hamidi-was-part-of-the-reformasi-now-he-may-be-on-anwars-side-again/?amp

https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/678035


https://www.eurasiareview.com/10122022-malaysia-the-anwar-and-zahid-relationship-analysis/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdALaDezBv8

Merdeka 2

~ The Koboi Project

Taniah kepada Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim sempena pertama kali menyambut Hari Merdeka sebagai Perdana Menteri Malaysia selepas perjuangan selama 25 tahun. Selamat menyambut 66 tahun Merdeka – 31hb Ogos 2023.

No More SOSMA Please Anwar! 2

~ The Koboi Project

A is for Anwar Ibrahim! On September 2nd 1998, then deputy prime minister and finance minister Anwar Ibraham was sacked from his posts on and expelled from UMNO. He was he was acused of sexual indecency, hindering police investigations and sedition and arrested on September 20 and held for nine days under the country’s Internal Security Act (ISA) before being taken charged with three counts of corruption and four of homosexual acts. Anwar had visible bruising to the face and neck, having been beaten unconscious during his detention under the ISA.

Anwar is now Prime Minister and once again Finance Minister. His party PKR, fights under the logo of an eye which alluses to his abuse while under ISA detention. Surely, Anwar and PKR will live up to their many promises to review SOSMA and do justice to their logo, which thrusts upon the conscience and consciousness of the electiorate, the ethos of reform! Surely He, his party and his PH coalition will make it their higest priority to review and revise, if nor repeal, this draconian act.

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/1998/10/mal-o03.html

Forms of Government 1

~ The Koboi Project

1. Hypocracy: The most common form of government throughout the democratic world. Particularly popular in Malaysia!

Update 20.09.2023: The recent DNAA (Discharge not amounting to acquittal) of Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi on 47 graft charges (involving  Yayasan Akalbudi funds), following on from various governmental actions and decisions like the announcement in May of various allocations and mega projects (despite a pledge to discontinue such practices), has laid Anwar’s government open to accuations of hypocrisy.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/09/04/high-court-grants-zahid-discharge-not-amounting-to-acquittal-in-yab-case

https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2023/05/12/anwar-cautioned-against-hypocrisy-in-billion-ringgit-allocations-mega-projects

Ke Mana Malaysia Kita? 11

~ The Koboi Project

Back to the future. Deja Vu! Mahathir was not wrong about the pact, just early! Or was he remembering?

Image :https://cilisos.my/in-1998-zahid-hamidi-was-part-of-the-reformasi-now-he-may-be-on-anwars-side-again/

Ke Mana Malaysia Kita? 9

~ The Koboi Project
Mahathir has offered Anwar his congratulations. These are the good wishes of a supremo who has finally lost the crown (sometimes held by a proxy), after keeping his nemesis at bay in a lifelong battle. Mahathir has finally lost every last inch of his kingdom, but he went down fighting at the grand old age of 97. Given his inside view of the struggle, personal feelings aside, I believe he must have the highest regard for Anwar’s prowess in achieving this grindingly impressive rise.