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I am certain that the opposition coalition government will appoint whatever Indian exco they can into the state cabinet. But it would be too much to ask for deputy menteri besar or deputy chief minister because that is reserved by convention for the state chairman of the second major seat contributor in the state assembly. Another point - they should be at least satisfied that many Parliamentarians will now be Indians.

The issue isn't the number of representation rather the quality of representation. If each and every of these Indian representatives perform, and now that BN in its defeat will stand up and be especially sensitive, I would say the Indian issues will be heard loud and clear and will be acted upon.

Hindraf should savor its victory for now, instead of antagonising the very coalition who will channel their voice in Parliament and the state assemblies as well as the state cabinet.

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Lets not play the race card again! Let the most qualified person take the job. We want good governance for all Malaysians. Remember "Malaysia for Malaysians".

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I agree fully with PY Wong.
We should look at the longer agenda of a bangsa malaysia.
Let no monkey find an excuse to fan sentiments and hijack this.

Concentrate on providing good governance.
You don't need any deputy MBs to do that.

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Mikewang and PYWong, you're both true, wonderful, Malaysians. The interest of the country comes first. Most Malays have been under UMNO propaganda for decades, and they should be given time to feel comfortable with an inclusive government. One day, when non-Malays have proven their worth, Malays as a whole will even INVITE them to be MBs, not to say deputy MBs.

LChuah

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So PY Wong, you aren't ready to see a non-Malay Chief Minister. Are you at least ready to do away with ads that say "bumiputeras preferred" and "Mandarin speakers" only, so that others are able to compete on a more level playing field? That way we can all operate genuinely as true Malaysians, without being hypocritical about things.

People voted for change. But in PY Wong's article we see caution against change. If we don't change now, it will never happen. It's about time that the different races started feeling comfortable with the genuine sharing of political power. Fifty years is way too long. It's time to put an end to the formal and informal racism that exists in this country.

I voted for change, and I want to see that change in my life time.

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Hiro,

If the Indian voters did not swing their votes over to the Opposition, the many DAP, PKR & PAS victories that we now see in many states would not be possible.

Yes, the Indians now have representation in the Parliament and State Assemblies.
Having said the above, the Indians sacrificed MIC & PPP to voice their discontent in doing so. This means that there is a very low probability that there will be any Indian Ministers in the Cabinet. The Malays & Chinese will by token have Cabinet Ministers.

Now, given that there will be a Chinese Chief Minister in Penang, and Malay Chief Ministers elsewhere, is it not Malaysian enough to ask for an Indian to be a Deputy Chief Minister in Selangor? While I do believe in meritocracy, it's not like anyone who is being named as Chief Minister here is being brought into power purely on the basis of merit alone. So why single out Indian opposition MP's for their performance in the Cabinet, before they've even begun?

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Stormquest wrote:
>I voted for change, and I want to see that change in my life time.]]

I too want to see that change in MY lifetime, and I'm in my 60s. Unless you're much older, there's no doubt you'd see changes in your lifetime. If the Opposition does a great job in the next four years, they would give not only Malays, but all Malaysians, great confidence in their leadership. The question of an Indian deputy MB then - assuming such appointments aren't based on merit - wouldn't raise the slightest eyebrow.

LChuah

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I strongly believe it should be based on meritocracy. The job should go to whoever can best do the job. The selection of the candidates should be colour blind and without fear or favour. Otherwise there will be no rapid progress and the Malays will forever not improve. We have to catch up on 50 years of 'lag-time'to compete effectively with other countries globally. This is not the time to be wishy-washy. There are so much to 'untie' and 'correct' what BN and UMNO has done...at least beginning with the 5 States first.

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LChuah,

Yes, I want to see change in my life time. I am fed up of the crap created by the BN government that has served to divide and rule the different races for decades. It serves to undermine national unity...and that's bad when it comes to national security. It's also bad for the economy, to the extent that foreigners are reluctant to invest in this country.

Yes, I want to see everyone being called a "Malaysian", and not be referred to as a "Malay", "Chinese" or an "Indian" any more.

Yes, I am happy that the new Selangor government is ready to do away with the NEP. I say let's help all poor people irrespective of whether they are Malay, Chinese or Indian.

Yes, I believe in meritocracy. But let's put an end to the rotten hiring practices that are hardly based on meritocracy, but rather discriminate between the races. Let's be honest here. It isn't a level playing field. I had a foreign Human Resource consultant tell me his disbelief when he saw the Indians getting the rawest deal when it comes to getting jobs.

It's a fact that more than 50% of firms in the private sector do not hire Indians. The Indians, even if they are qualified, stand the lowest chances of being hired amongst the three main races. The result is that many highly qualified Indians are being driven into poverty as a result of not being able to get jobs. While people here are in a denial over this, it is a fact that both institutional discrimination (vis-a-vis the NEP) and informal racism exists. Why not do away with both? Why not put in "equal opportunity" ads that do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender or religion? Why maintain job hiring ads that promote racism instead?

Yes, I again reaffirm that I believe in meritocracy. I also agree with you that if the Opposition does a great job in the next four years, they would give not only Malays, but all Malaysians, great confidence in their leadership. Having said this, I also believe in fair play. It is read somewhere that 95% of the Indian electorate voted for the Opposition. Surely the Indians will not want to get a raw deal from the Opposition parties where power sharing is concerned. If non-Indians see Indians as being "Malaysian", why then the fuss over a suitably qualified Indian Deputy Chief Minister who can be fair to all?

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PY Wong' seem to be dozed off in s Time-tunnel that exists in the 70's!! Hello..... we voted for change and change must take place!! The New State Governments in Selangor. Perak, Kedah, Penang have 5 years to do this effectively!! Failing which the BN would take over. again. So. wake up from your comfort-zone.Wong!!!

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taken from malaysiakini
On Hindraf: Make ISA detainee S'gor deputy MB

Jeevindra Kumar: A few hours after the voters dealt a massive blow to race-based politics, we have an appeal to return to the practise of choosing leaders based on ethnicity.

Let the parties choose the best amongst them, based on criteria that are not related to race, religion or skin colour.

Let this victory be one for all Malaysians, and let the leaders we have chosen safeguard the interests of all Malaysians equally. Let’s not be hypocrites.

A Non-racist: I am of the view that whoever is to be appointed as CM or MB, his or her race is not important. The one who is accorded the responsibility should be picked on his/her capability and credibility. He/she must be fair to all races and fully accountable for whatever actions that he/she undertakes.

The suggestion of having an Indian to be appointed as MB or deputy MB may defeat the purpose of 'safe-guarding the interest of the Indian' if he/she is not capable enough to carry out his/her responsibilities. If that is true, then such position is only for symbolic purposes.

We must change our mentality which has been rooted in our minds since young by the previous government.
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I dont agree with PY wong's reasoning, as much as i disagree with hindraf's call for Mano as deputy MB.

1. What is needed now is a return to effective and fair governance. We have 5 states and 82 MP's who have to be watched to ensure that happens.
2. What all races need is a rebuilding of confidence in each other, calling for a quid pro quo arrangement now is premature at best.
3. The Indians will gain a lot more by seeing the Indian MP's performing well at the positions they are given on merit, and not by having Mr Mano as deputy MB when he is yet to be released from Kamunting, as that will be more for form rather than substance. Haven't all of us had enough of "for show" leaders, even if it us that want the "show".
4. We have no choice but to adhere to state constitutions that require Muslim MB's, and that means that we might not have the best man for the job at the helm in terms of experience and appeal, it also means that the Deputy MB's and EXCO have to be able to help shoulder the burden, and meritrocracy is paramount there.
5. A Barack Obama or a Samy Vellu. Make your choice. Meritrocracy has a chance to give you the first, and racial decisions the second.
6. If Indians still do not realise that the power actually rests in their hands and not in the hands of any leader, Indian or Malay or Chinese; then all the teargas I have taken is only for the 40,000 that were there on Nov 25, and the 50,000 that were there on Nov 10, and the boys that got whacked in Batu Burok and all the others that had the courage to walk when the rest just talked, and for everyone in Kamunting right now, and not for anyone else.
7. And will you be willing to give a chance to anyone to say this to you, Go Talk to Mano, We have Made him Deputy MB for you guys, and He is In charge of you. Our debt Is Done.

My vote was for all Malaysians. And the leaders better remember that.

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PY Wong may have slim point tho. Basically I wanted a Real Good Change ie truly fair share of sharing, where everyone is treated as 'just Malaysian' irregardless of the races. I'm fed up of having been marginalized when with good results Chinese were not allowed in to local U and being treated as 2nd class citizen. The best, the hardworking and the honest should be given the right opportunity. This is fair share! I may be wishing for the impossible but isnt what we voted for?

I felt for the 1st time I dare to speak out "publicly" unlike those days under the "dictatorship of UMNO" you get worried if you speak against the ppl in power. They forgot PEOPLE voted them and not for them to lord over us.

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Let us not fight over who should be whatever post. Why not we contribute on what should be done instead. I am sure the Barisan Rakyat will find ways to accommodate our Indian brothers/sisters in power sharing etc.

Why not Barisan Rakyat form a shadow Federal Government. We can then appoint for each posts whoever capable. Get Malaysian nationwide to donate for the formation of Shadow government.

The function will be to make sure these so called Barisan Najis will get someone to always check on what they do and posts on youtube etc.

I am sure we can get more than 3 million Malaysian each to donate $12 a year to the formation of Shadow government. That will give $3 million budget a month budget for the shadow government to function including wages for offices in each of Malaysian states.

I will definitely donate at least $200 per month and I am sure many Malaysian will donate at least $1 a month. At a cost of a roti canai a month we can get accountability. Priceless to me at least.

So that way we can form shadow government where all races can be appointed. The Shadow government will have a stronger national voice and can highlight more areas where the Barisan Najis Federal government failed to take care of the people needs.

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Breaking News. I see that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has announced that PKR’s Penanti state assemblyperson Muhammad Fairuz Khairuddin and DAP’s Perai representative P Ramasamy would be made the state’s deputy chief ministers. Muhammad Fairuz will be the Deputy CM 1 and Ramasamy, the Deputy CM 2. This is meant to be representative of the population of the states.

Now this is fair. It will also not give BN the opportunity to not turn around and say that DAP is practising race politics. Let's see if the other states follow suit.

Hopefully, we can also find a suitably qualified Orang Asli to fill the post in at least one state. It may be a tall order, but if we were to do that, then I say that we can call ourselves Malaysians.

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Stormquest, March 11, 2008 | 02:03:02 wrote:

"So PY Wong, you aren't ready to see a non-Malay Chief Minister. Are you at least ready to do away with ads that say "bumiputras preferred" and "Mandarin speakers" only."

"Bumiputras preferred" is racial discrimination. I agree it should be done away with.

"Mandarin speakers" only is a performance specification. Is there any law in the Universe that says a non-Chinese can't speak Mandarin? In fact, many Malaysian Chinese can't speak Mandarin, so they won't be considered also. If a company requires a Xhosa-speaking (a South African language) person because they expect that person to be dealing with Xhosans, that is logical. We would not accuse the company of being racist. The same argument applies to a specification for Mandarin speakers. Surely we don't expect to send a non-Mandarin speaker to operate in China, would you?

Stormquest further said: "I voted for change, and I want to see that change in my life time."

Now that you have voted, your job is done, is it? My suggestion to you is that your job has just begun. You have given your vote. Now you have to go down to the ground to help and make sure that your MP's and DUN's don't fail because of lack of resources. To overcome 50 years of neglect and abuse takes a lot of time and effort. Everyone has to be involved. The price for failure is too high. So, Stormquest, please get cracking.

alan cheong, March 11, 2008 | 09:23:07 wrote:

"'pee' wong,

are you a malay, ie a 'chinese' loser umnoputra wanna-be? or;
are you a coward? or;
are you a typical apathetic chinese hoon?

the people spoke with ONE voice, and the people will work as ONE.
you should brush up on martin luther king's dreams ... hoon."

and willy, March 11, 2008 | 12:13:57 wrote:

"PY Wong' seem to be dozed off in s Time-tunnel that exists in the 70's!! Hello..... we voted for change and change must take place!! The New State Governments in Selangor. Perak, Kedah, Penang have 5 years to do this effectively!! Failing which the BN would take over. again. So. wake up from your comfort-zone.Wong!!!"

I like that. Why don't you drop by Subang Jaya SS 17/2L this Saturday evening 10pm (15 Mar 200 and see what is being done? Maybe you will be inspired enough to take part.

pywong

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