I left my sweet love o’er the hills,
For I thought the stars would lead me home,
But far beyond a thousand journeys,
The faint echoes drum repeatedly:
Please come home,
Please come home.
The wind and breeze bear witness,
To my dying wish I be laid to rest,
In the grounds of my beloved birthplace,
Where the smell of flowers bid me:
You are home,
You are home.
But as I wander through the vast empty land,
My guiding star I search in vain,
And so a promise I give myself –
Nev'r to stop till my love I find again:
I’m coming home,
I’m coming home.
June 27, 2013 - Carolyn Khor
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thumbs up for Women
It must have come as a pleasant surprise that three women from PKR were selected to be Selangor executive council members together with three others from DAP and four from PAS. Dr. Daroyah joins rank with Elizabeth Wong and Rodziah Ismail in an all-women three-member team after being sworn-in at the palace today. PKR Selangor had fielded six women candidates for its state seats, out of which five won. Twelve others from PKR who won are men.
In contrast, Penang has only one woman exco which is held by Chong Eng, the DAP state assemblyman for Padang Lalang. During the 13th General Elections, PKR Penang fielded a total of two women candidates for the Penang state seats, out of which only one succeeded - Dr. Norlela Ariffin from Penanti. Nine others from PKR who won are men.
The vast difference in women representation within PKR is largely attributed to the role of women in politics in these two states. At the same time, it must be lauded that Tan Sri Khalid has no qualms appointing an all-women team while putting aside gender bias. This goes to show his appreciation and awareness of a woman’s capabilities and contribution to the society.
As a party helmed by a woman president, Dr. Wan Azizah, PKR is nonetheless a women-friendly party in a male dominated arena. Although Azizah did not contest in any seats, her influence as president presides in the hearts of all women as a symbol of strength and determination for those who seek justice.
Following in her footsteps is her daughter, Nurul Izzah, the giant slayer who won over the hearts of Lembah Pantai voters defeating Raja Nong Chik from Barisan Nasional.
While Selangor has no shortage of women leaders, Penang PKR is sorely in need of qualified and dedicated women who are willing to step forward to serve the public. Building up the women’s presence in politics is no easy task owing to multiple factors such as cultural and religious beliefs, family responsibilities and financial independence.
Although women make up roughly 52 percent of the total voters, participation of women in politics is low. Given the diverse role a woman has to partake in, a career in politics may seem rather unattractive unless she is driven by a cause – a cause to speak up and better the lives of all other women.
Zuraida Kamaruddin, chief of PKR Women’s Wing is one such lady who inspires and incites women to rise to the challenge when faced with one. Not unlike Nusaybah, her bravery and courage to speak out however, has earned her severe criticism from both within and outside the party. The Wanita national committee, with a team of about 60 core members nationwide is tasked to rouse the women’s confidence and raise awareness of a woman’s role in the society.
In committing to the women’s agenda, the women’s wing should be given ample voice in decision making within the party. As said by two PKR leaders recently, we are a reform party. As such, let us leave no room for cronyism and nepotism. For a young party to grow effectively, it is best to keep unwanted elements from creeping into the organization.
At the same time party leaders should be sensitive enough to employ tactile strategies to strengthen the party in anticipation of GE-14 – don’t render it useless the years of hard work that has been put in by party elders to build the divisions and branches, youth wings and women’s wings just so that their voices are finally drowned out due to the lack of empathy and sensitivity towards hardcore supporters and party workers.
It is without a doubt that meritocracy, experience and formal qualifications included, holds the key to any politically appointed posts. Therefore more effort should be put in to recruit qualified people to allow them to practice serving first. If an organization is largely fueled by passionate activists who work endlessly and tirelessly, only to have their glimmer of hope fade into oblivion, it makes for undue stress and divide – something that can be avoided by nipping those hopes in the bud and with good management.
In other words, politics is only for those who have a cause and are willing to go the extra mile, ride out the bumpy road and with nothing to ask for in return - this includes activists, qualified persons, sidelined members and dropped candidates too. Anything and everything else is a bonus.
With that, heartiest congratulations to the three PKR women in the Selangor exco line-up.
* Disclaimer: This is my personal opinion and in no way represent the views of the party. I write this from the perspective of a third party and based on grouses that I hear from several sources.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Get-Out-The-Voters exercise in Bayan Baru a success
Dato’
Mustafa Kamal, Director of Elections for PKR Pulau Pinang successfully gathered
about 500 election workers at several meeting points all around the Bayan Baru
(P52) parliamentary district last Sunday. Dato’ Mansor Othman, the Deputy
Chief Minister addressed the 300-strong crowd at its main site at Dewan JKKK
Taman Pekaka, Batu Uban, together with several other personalities like YB Sim Tze Tzin
(ADUN Pantai Jerejak), Dato’ Malik Kassim (ADUN Batu Maung) and YB Raveen (ADUN
Batu Uban).
The
air of excitement was further enhanced when a motorcycle convoy of about 30
bikes arrived at Taman Pekaka along with a decorated trailer behind blasting
the Parti Keadilan song. After a short briefing, all volunteers participated in
a house-to-house exercise to meet the voters in the three state constituencies
in Bayan Baru.
When
the crowd were asked: “Are you ready for Pakatan Rakyat?” the crowd replied in
a very spirited ‘Yes!’
The
overall response from the ground was very encouraging with all the election
directors in Bayan Baru providing similar reports. Bayan Baru aims to secure
all three state seats and one parliamentary seat under Keadilan, a feat which
was achieved in 2008 but tainted by an MP who decided to become an independent
in 2010.
“I
think we have a very strong and coordinated force with only one goal, which is
to maintain the results of 2008,” said Tan Seng Keat, the Election Director for
Bayan Baru.
65% support in Batu Maung (N37)
About
100-odd people thronged parts of Batu Maung to survey the area and give out
goodie bags which includes informational leaflets and newsletters, a free note
pad and a magazine.
“We
are confident to have a minimum of 65% support from our voters,” claimed
Azrizal Tahir, the Election Director of Batu Maung.
The
incumbent, Dato’ Malik Kassim won the Batu Maung seat in 2008 with a majority
of 3169 votes against Norlan Dahalan from UMNO. However, according to reports
there are more than 9000 new voters registered for the upcoming elections.
As
the only Malay majority area in Bayan Baru, the rejection of UMNO is obvious as
many of the programmes implemented in the area are all well received by the
community.
Chinese voters not a problem in Batu Uban
(N35)
The
Batu Uban team targeted 10 blocks of flats around the Taman Bukit Jambul area
to get feedback from the ground. At the same time another team led by YB Raveen
made their rounds in the constituency to greet the people.
“Many
people kept on asking about the candidate,” mentioned Cheah Kah Peng, the
Strategic Director for Keadilan Penang.
“It
should be taken into consideration that informed people cast their votes based
on the choice of candidate fielded,” he added.
Cheah
Peng Guan, the Election Director for Batu Uban is certain that the Chinese
votes were ‘not a problem’ in the area. Batu Uban is a Chinese majority area
with about 60% Chinese voters.
YB
Raveen, the current Keadilan state assemblyman had garnered a majority of 611
votes in 2008 ousting local favourite Goh Kheng Sneah from Gerakan who is
expected to contest again in GE-13.
All set in Pantai Jerejak (N36)
More
than 100 volunteers attended the meet-the-voters exercise at Pantai Jerejak.
Election Director Idriss Hassan is pleased with the turnout.
Similarly,
he echoes a favourable 60% secured vote from Pantai Jerejak.
YB
Sim Tze Tzin won the Pantai Jerejak in 2008 with a majority of 1258 votes
against Wong Mun Hoe from Gerakan.
YB
Sim and municipal councillor Hj. Rashid bin Hasnon recently co-organized a Chinese
New Year open house in Pantai Jerejak which included a ‘Chinese-Muslim’
presentation among its activities.
“The
momentum of Keadilan Bayan Baru is very good. Our machinery is ready for
GE-13,” Idriss said.
Ini
kalilah.
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