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Stick with PH but Anwar and Umno-led BN can be rejected
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5, 2025: Yes indeed! Malaysians have no choice but to support and live with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the next general election (GE16) which is due in 2027.
Prof Dr Mohd Tajuddin Rasdi opines that then only way forward for multi-racial Malaysians and Malaysia is PH and Barisan Nasional (BN).
Unless Malayaisns want to be governed by the Taliban-like PAS and the racist Perikatan Nasional (PN) led by the unpatriotic Muhyiddin “I Am Malay First” Yassin.
However, that does not mean Malaysians need to stick with the 10th Prime Minister (PMX) Anwar Ibrahim and the equally racist and corrupt Umno-led BN.
If Malaysians are fed up with Anwar for failing to deliver his electoral promises of reforms and change for multi-racial Malaysia, then vote him out but keep PH (but not in Sarawak and Sabah) and hope a better leader emerges from PH to become Malaysia’s 11th Prime Minister.
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SENARAI HARTA YG DI MILIKI OLEH Taib Mahmud.
1. 750 hektar … di Sungai Lubai Tengah, Limbang Srwk Plantations Entiti perniagaan ini tlh diswastakn, 60% pegangan saham dimiliki olh Hamid Sepawi (sepupu Taib) & Hasmi b Hasnan.
2. 4,400 hektar … di Sungai Medalam, Lawas Celerity Design Sdn Bhd – Abu Bekir Taib (anak Taib Mahmud).
3. 9.000 hektar … di Batang, Limbang Future Atmosphere Sdn Bhd Abu Bekir Taib.
4. 11,000 hektar di Ulu Medamit, Limbang – Dataran Aras Sdn Bhd – Abu Bekir Taib.
5. 3,000 hektar … di Tinjar,Miri – Amazing Green Sdn Bhd – Teresa Toyad (keluarga Taib yg berkahwin dgn bekas Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri) & CEO kpd SCORE Wilson Baya Dandot.
6. 750 hektar … di Jalan, Miri.
7. 2,000 hektar … di lokasi penting lapangan trbang, Miri – Kumpulan Parabena Sdn Bhd & Mesti Bersatu Sdn Bhd Taib Mahmud & Raziah Mahmud.
8. 500 hektar … di Sungai Sibuti, Miri – Premium Haven Sdn Bhd – Abu Bekir Taib.
9. 5,000 hektar … di Sungai Teru & Batang Baram – Essential Straits Sdn Bhd – Abu Bekir Taib.
10. 1,100 hektar di Sungai Karap Umpama Mantap Sdn Bhd – Abu Bekir Taib.
11. 10,000 hektar di Lot 1208 Sungai Karap – Abu Bekir Taib.
12. 50 hektar … di Jalan Tusan, Sibuti – Ukiran Mantap Sdn Bhd – Abu Bekir Taib.
13. 4,000 hektar di Sungai Bok, Tinjar – Log Oak Promotion Sdn Bhd – Abu Bekir Taib.
14. 4,500 hektar di Sungai Tutoh Syarikat Radiant Lagoon – Abu Bekir Taib.
15. 5,000 hektar di Sungai Karap & Sungai Kulak – Amgreen Gain Sdn Bhd – Ibrahim Mahmud (abang/adik Taib).
16. 50 hektar … di Sungai Karabungan, Niah – Hamid Sepawi (sepupu Taib) & Hasmi b Hasnan.
17. 31,000 hektar … tanah NCR di Long Lamai – Merawa Sdn Bhd (anak syarikat Samling Global).
18. 2,600 hektar di Jalan Setium – Mega Bumimas Sdn Bhd (anak syarikat Ta An – Hamed Sepawi (sepupu Taib).
19. 10,000 hektar di Similajau – Sahua Enterprise Sdn Bhd – Mohamid Morshidi bin Abdul Ghani (Setiausaha BN Sarawak).
20. 4,500 hektar … di Similajau – Derawan Sdn Bhd – Mohamid Morshidi bin Abdul Ghani (Setiausaha BN Sarawak).
21. 15,000 hektar … tanah NCR kaum Penan di Ba Jawi Samling Plywood (Miri) Sdn Bhd.
22. 1,600 hektar … di Setuan – Hasmi Hasan (proksi Taib).
23. 10,000 hektar di Sungai Takan & Ulu Sungai Nyatak, Tatau – Ikrar Bumi Sdn Bhd Elia Geneid (anak saudara Taib).
24. 8,000 hektar … di Balingian (sebahagian besar kawasan ini asalnya adalah hutam simpan Setuan Besar) – Saradu Plantations Sdn Bhd, Organic Treasure Sdn Bhd & Kumpulan Parabena Sdn Bhd – Raziah Mahmud (adik Taib) & Robert Geneid (ipar Taib).
25. 10,000 hektar … di Ulu Mukah – Sarawak Plantations Entiti perniagaan ini telah diswastakn, 60% pegangan saham dimiliki olh Hamid Sepawi (sepupu Taib) & Hasmi b Hasnan.
26. 5,000 hektar … di Mukah – Delta Padi Sdn Bhd (Taib Mahmud) & LCD (pengerusinya ialah Taib Mahmud).
27. 5,000 hektar di Sungai Bawan – Palmlyn Sdn Bhd Taib Mahmud & Arip Mahmud.
28. 13,000 hektar di Sungai Bawan Golden Star Ace Sdn Bhd – Taib Mahmud & Arip Mahmud.
29. 4,000 hektar di Sungai Sikat, Mukah – Bella Magic Sdn Bhd – Abu Bekir Taib.
30. 5,000 hektar di Kenyana Rajah Mutiara Sdn Bhd Taib Mahmud & Arip Mahmud.
31. 2,000 hektar di Loba Kabang – Victoria Square Development Sdn Bhd Ibrahim Mahmud (abang/adik Taib).
32. 2,050 hektar di Penasu Igan – Victoria Square Development Sdn Bhd Ibrahim Mahmud (abang/adik Taib).
33. 5,000 hektar di Antara Batang, Oya & Batang Mukah – Kub Sepadu Sdn Bhd – Hamid Sepawi (sepupu Taib).
34. 10,500 hektar di Sungai Retus – Hariyama Sdn Bhd Taib Mahmud & Arip Mahmud.
35. 768 hektar … di Pasai Siong, Sungai Retus – Masretus Oil Palm Plantation Sdn Bhd Ibrahim Mahmud(abang/ adik Taib), Yahya bin Ibrahim (anak saudara Taib) & Mahmud bin Ibrahim (anak saudara Taib).
36. 400 hektar … di Tulai Meradong – Delta Padi Sdn Bhd (Taib Mahmud) & LCD(pengerusinya ialah Taib Mahmud).
37. 2,000 hektar … di Batang Lebaan, Sibu – Delta Padi Sdn Bhd (Taib Mahmud) & LCDA (pengerusinya ialah Taib Mahmud).
38. 100 hektar … di Sungai Lengan, Sibu – Delta Padi Sdn Bhd (Taib Mahmud) & LCDA (pengerusinya ialah Taib Mahmud).
39. 600 hektar … di Sungai Melayu, Meradong – Sarawak Plantations – Entiti perniagaan ini telah diswastakan, 60% pegangan saham dimiliki olh Hamid Sepawi (sepupu Taib) & Hasmi b Hasnan.
40. 1,113 hektar di Batang Lassa – Europalm Sdn Bhd (anak syarikat Ta Ann Holdings) – Hamid Sepawi (sepupu Taib).
41. 1,500 hektar … di Jin Matu, Daro – Europalm Sdn Bhd (anak syarikat Ta Ann Holdings) Hamid Sepawi (sepupu Taib).
42. 90 hektar … di Kampung Tebang, Batang Lassa,Daro – Multi Maximum Sdn Bhd (anak syarikat Ta Ann Holdings) Hamid Sepawi (sepupu Taib).
43. 15,000 hektar di Pulau Bruit – Eastern Eden Sdn Bhd & Poh Zhen Sdn Bhd – Arip Mahmud (abang/adik Taib), Ali Mahmud (abang/adik Taib) & Azerina Mohd Arip (ipar Taib).
44. 7,700 hektar di Paloh Delta Padi Sdn Bhd (Taib Mahmud) & LCDA (pengerusinya ialah Taib Mahmud).
LIST OF PROPERTIES OWNED BY Taib Mahmud.
1. 750 hectares .. In Sungai Lubai Tengah, Limbang Srwk Plantations This business entity has been privatized, 60% of the shareholding is owned by Hamid Sepawi (Taib's cousin) & Hasmi b Hasnan.
2. 4,400 acres ... At Sungai Medalam, Former Celerity Design Sdn Bhd – Abu Bekir Taib (son of Taib Mahmud).
3. 9,000 acres ... In Batang, Limbang Future Atmosphere Ltd. Abu Bekir Taib.
4. 11,000 hectares in Ulu Medamit, Limbang - Aras Square Sdn Bhd - Abu Bekir Taib.
5. 3,000 acres ... in Tinjar,Miri – Amazing Green Sdn Bhd – Teresa Toyad (Taib's family who married to a former Secretary of State) & CEO of SCORE Wilson Baya Dandot.
6. 750 hectares .. on the road, miri.
7. 2,000 acres ... at an important location of the airport, Miri - Kupulan Parabena Sdn Bhd & Musti Bersatu Sdn BhD Taib Mahmud & Raziah Mahmud.
8. 500 acres ... at Sungai Sibuti, Miri - Premium Haven Sdn Bhd - Abu Bekir Taib.
9. 5,000 acres ... at Sungai Teru & Batang Baram – Essential Straits Sdn Bhd – Abu Bekir Taib.
10. 1,100 hectares in Sungai Karap Umpama Mantap Sdn Bhd - Abu Bekir Taib.
11. 10,000 hectares at Lot 1208 Sungai Karap - Abu Bekir Taib.
12. 50 acres ... at Jalan Tusan, Sibuti - Steady Engravings Sdn Bhd - Abu Bekir Taib.
13. 4,000 hectares in Sungai Bok, Tinjar - Log Oak Promotion Sdn Bhd - Abu Bekir Taib.
14. 4,500 hectares in Radiant Lagoon Company Tutoh River - Abu Bekir Taib.
15. 5,000 hectares in Sungai Karap & Sungai Kulak – Amgreen Gain Sdn Bhd – Ibrahim Mahmud (brother/sister Taib).
16. 50 acres ... at Sungai Karabungan, Niah – Hamid Sepawi (Taib's cousin) & Hasmi b Hasnan.
17. 31,000 acres ... NCR land in Long Lamai – Merawa Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of Samling Global).
18. 2,600 hectares in Jalan Setium - Mega Bumimas Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of Ta An - Hamed Sepawi (Taib's cousin).
19. 10,000 hectares in Similajau - Sahua Enterprise Sdn Bhd - Mohamid Morshidi bin Abdul Ghani (BN Sarawak Secretary).
20. 4,500 acres ... In Similajau - Derawan Sdn Bhd - Mohamid Morshidi bin Abdul Ghani (Secretary of BN Sarawak).
21. 15,000 acres ... Penan NCR land in Ba Jawi Samling Plywood (Miri) Sdn Bhd.
22. 1600 acres ... in Setuan - Hasmi Hasan (Taib proxy).
23. 10,000 hectares in Sungai Takan & Ulu Sungai Nyatak, Tatau - Promise Land Sdn Bhd Elia Geneid (Taib's nephew).
24. 8,000 acres ... in Balingian (a large part of this area was originally hutam kept by Setuan Besar) – Saradu Plantations Sdn Bhd, Organic Treasure Sdn bhd & Kumpulan Parabena Sdn BhD – Raziah Mahmud (Taib's younger brother) & Robert Geneid (Taib’s brother-in-law).
25. 10,000 acres ... in Ulu Mukah - Sarawak Plantations This business entity has been privatized, 60% of the shareholding is owned by Hamid Sepawi (Taib's cousin) & Hasmi b Hasnan.
26. 5,000 acres ... in Mukah - Delta Padi Sdn Bhd (Taib Mahmud) & LCD (the chairman is Taib Mahmud).
27. 5,000 hectares in Sungai Bawan - Palmlyn Sdn Bhd Taib Mahmud & Arip Mahmud.
28. 13,000 hectares in Sungai Bawan Golden Star Ace Sdn Bhd – Taib Mahmud & Arip Mahmud.
29. 4,000 hectares in Sungai Sikat, Mukah - Bella Magic Sdn Bhd - Abu Bekir Taib.
30. 5,000 hectares in Kenya Rajah Mutiara Sdn Bhd Taib Mahmud & Arip Mahmud.
31. 2,000 hectares in Loba Kabang – Victoria Square Development Sdn Bhd Ibrahim Mahmud (brother/sister Taib).
32. 2,050 hectares in Penasu Igan – Victoria Square Development Sdn Bhd Ibrahim Mahmud (brother/sister Taib).
33. 5,000 hectares between Batang, Oya & Batang Mukah - Kub Sepadu Sdn Bhd - Hamid Sepawi (Taib's cousin).
34. 10,500 hectares in Sungai Retus - Hariyama Sdn Bhd Taib Mahmud & Arip Mahmud.
35. 768 acres ... at Pasai Siong, Sungai Retus - Masretus Oil Palm Plantation Sdn Bhd Ibrahim Mahmud (Taib's brother/ younger brother), Yahya bin Ibrahim (Taib) & Mahmud bin Ibrahim (Taip's nephew).
36. 400 acres ... at Tulai Meradong - Delta Padi Sdn Bhd (Taib Mahmud) & LCD(the chairman is Taib Mahmud).
37. 2,000 acres ... in Batang Lebaan, Sibu - Delta Paddy Sdn Bhd (Taib Mahmud) & LCDA (the chairman is Taib Mahmud).
38. 100 acres ... in Sungai Lengan, Sibu - Delta Paddy Sdn Bhd (Taib Mahmud) & LCDA (the chairman is Taib Mahmud).
39. 600 acres ... in Sungai Melayu, Meradong - Sarawak Plantations - This business entity has been privatized, 60% of the shareholding is owned by Hamid Sepawi (Taib's cousin) & Hasmi b Hasnan.
40. 1,113 hectares in Batang Lassa – Europalm Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of Ta Ann Holdings) – Hamid Sepawi (Taib's cousin).
41. 1,500 hectares ... in Jin Matu, Daro – Europalm Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of Ta Ann Holdings) Hamid Sepawi (Taib's cousin).
42. 90 acres ... at Tebang Village, Batang Lassa, Daro – Multi Maximum Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of Ta Ann Holdings) Hamid Sepawi (Taib's cousin).
43. 15,000 hectares at Pulau Bruit - Eastern Eden Sdn Bhd & Poh Zhen Sdn BhD - Arip Mahmud (Taib's brother/sister), Ali Mahmud ( Taib's brother) & Azerina Mohd Arip (sister-in-law Taib).
44. 7,700 hectares in Paloh Delta Padi Sdn Bhd (Taib Mahmud) & LCDA (the chairman is Taib Mahmud).
MoCS has never forgotten Taib Mahmud
We appeal to PMX Anwar Ibrahim. Don’t just go after Dr Mahathir and Daim’s assets. Help Sarawak to secure its long overdue restitution of what was looted by Taib Mahmud and his ilk as well. I believe that many of my fellow Sarawakians are anxiously waiting for the Madani government to resolve the Taib case just as it is keen to get Mahathir and the late Daim’s family to return what was allegedly not theirs to take. We founded MoCS 15 years ago in 2010 on an anti-corruption stance and we went after Taib from Day One. Today, we are not done yet. Let me send this message to the family members, cronies, beneficiaries/recipients and co-conspirators of Taib’s rampant abuse of power and the billions being looted from the state, including the rich resources of the land which were given away for much less than a song. This is a heartfelt plea, not borne of malice or vengeance, but of justice, dignity and compassion. You have been entrusted with leadership and responsibility, yet many among you have chosen greed over service. The wealth you have amassed, through questionable means, hidden deals, and abuse of power, was never yours to begin with. It belongs to the people, your fellow Sarawakians, be they the struggling farmer, the jobless youth, the sick who cannot afford treatment, and the children who still go to school hungry. For the sake of the poor and the downtrodden, for the mothers who pray for a better life for their children, and for a country whose soul has been wounded by corruption, let me appeal to your conscience: Return what you have taken. Do so not out of fear of the law, but out of love for the land that once placed its hopes in you. Redeem yourselves while you still can. Leave behind a legacy not of shame and scandal, but of repentance and restoration. For if you choose silence and secrecy over truth and reconciliation, the legacy you leave behind will be one of betrayal. Your names will not be remembered with honour but with scorn. Your children and their children will live under the shadow of your sins. No mansion or offshore account can ever erase the pain your actions have caused. You still have a chance to do what is right. Return the loot. Restore hope. Rekindle trust. Let history remember you not as robbers of a nation, but as men and women who, in the end, chose conscience over corruption. Please do the right and honourable thing - For your sake. For the people's sake. For our beloved homeland, Sarawak. I have often said this: There is more than enough in Sarawak for 3 million Sarawakians. No one has to be poor. No one need to steal. I have never lost sight of that. I’m a believer.
Francis Paul Siah
Kuala Lumpur 5 August 2025
The Untouchable Wealth of Daim Zainuddin: 10 Major Controversies, Alleged Deals, and Red Flags
· Local
Intro: Tun Daim Zainuddin, once Malaysia’s Finance Minister and Mahathir Mohamad’s closest economic confidant, has long operated in the shadows of both politics and business. Despite holding office decades ago, Daim remained one of the wealthiest individuals in Malaysia, with sprawling assets across continents, held largely through proxies and offshore structures. While never convicted of corruption, the scale of unexplained wealth, use of secret trusts, and refusal to comply with anti-graft procedures strongly suggest that corruption — not entrepreneurship — is the only plausible source.
This post examines 10 of the most notable allegations, suspicious deals, and financial red flags tied to Daim Zainuddin — supported by news reports, leaked documents, and regulatory investigations.
Note: Daim Zainuddin has passed away. However, this does not absolve the need for justice. His extensive asset network — much of it transferred to family members, proxies, and offshore entities — must still be investigated, reclaimed where possible, and scrutinized under the rule of law. Malaysia cannot afford to let corruption die with its perpetrators while their fortunes continue to influence the living.
1. Ilham Tower Seizure (2023)
· What happened: In 2023, the MACC seized Ilham Tower (estimated value: RM2.1 billion), KL’s most expensive office building, after Daim refused to declare assets under Section 36 of the MACC Act.
· Issue: Ilham Tower was held under companies controlled by his children and proxies — raising questions about the source of funds and beneficial ownership.
· Daim’s response: Claimed political persecution under PM Anwar’s administration.
· Source: MACC press statement (2023), The Edge (Dec 2023)
2. Offshore Wealth in Pandora Papers (2021)
· Leaked records from the Pandora Papers revealed:
· Daim and his family secretly controlled at least 11 offshore companies in British Virgin Islands, Labuan, and Seychelles.
· Trusts were set up under names like ICB Financial Group Holdings and Newton Invest & Finance Ltd.
· Assets involved included London real estate, private banks, and luxury properties.
· Estimated assets uncovered: Over USD 100 million (RM470 million) held offshore.
· Source: ICIJ / Malaysiakini joint report (Oct 2021)
3. Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) – 2018 Conflict of Interest
· Role: Daim chaired the CEP after Pakatan Harapan’s GE14 win.
· Criticism: Used his position to gain access to confidential state documents, GLC operations, and private negotiations — including toll road buybacks and East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) revisions.
· Red flag: No transparency or public report was ever released by the CEP.
· Allegation: Influenced high-value negotiations that benefitted cronies and private allies.
· Source: The Malaysian Insight, NST (2018)
4. Telekom & Highway Privatizations (1990s)
· During Daim’s term as Finance Minister:
· Key infrastructure assets — Telekom Malaysia, PLUS, TNB — were privatized.
· These deals were opaque, underpriced, and awarded to companies linked to political allies.
· Toll concessions led to long-term profits for cronies, with little public benefit.
· Outcome: Public paid for overpriced tolls while politically connected firms amassed billions.
· Source: CASSA / Lim Kit Siang speeches (1996), Malaysiakini archives
5. African Mining, Telecom & Infrastructure Deals
· Regions involved: South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe.
· Assets: Gold mines, mobile telco licenses, large tracts of land and development projects.
· Vehicle: Often conducted via private holding companies or through his children’s firms.
· Issue: No clear source of capital from Daim’s declared income — suggesting movement of funds from Malaysia to Africa through undisclosed channels.
· Source: Daily Maverick (South Africa), Free Malaysia Today (2013)
6. Bank Ownership via Shell Entities
· What’s known: Daim was linked to several banks — notably ICB Banking Group (formerly Intercontinental Bank), with operations across Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean.
· Mechanism: Holdings structured through offshore entities to avoid scrutiny.
· Issue: No declaration of these interests when he held public office.
· Estimated value: USD 300 million (RM1.4 billion) at its peak.
· Source: Bloomberg archives, ICB Bank filings (2005–2012)
7. London & Warsaw Property Holdings
· Properties include: Luxury apartments near Hyde Park, Chelsea offices, and Warsaw commercial towers.
· Owned through: Discreet shell companies — Newton Invest & Finance, Calne Ltd, and others.
· Unverified wealth trail: No legitimate business operation links Daim to these earnings.
· Source: Pandora Papers, ICIJ, UK Land Registry leak (2019–2021)
8. Renong–UEM Corporate Bailout (1997)
· Incident: UEM (a listed firm) controversially bought its parent Renong to prevent collapse.
· Daim’s link: As Mahathir’s economic fixer, Daim allegedly greenlit the move to protect cronies and GLC interests.
· Outcome: Bailout cost taxpayers billions and triggered public outrage over GLC mismanagement.
· Source: The Edge (1998), Asiaweek archives
9. MACC Wealth Declaration Refusal (2023)
· Legal requirement: Under Section 36 of the MACC Act, Daim was ordered to declare all assets.
· Refusal: Claimed harassment and refused to comply.
· Result: MACC froze dozens of accounts and seized properties pending investigation.
· Red flag: Declining to declare wealth when legally required = direct obstruction of anti-graft procedures.
· Source: MACC statement (Dec 2023)
10. Use of Nominees & Proxy Ownership
· Technique: Daim’s assets are almost never under his personal name.
· Common proxies include: His children, close associates, offshore trusts.
· Why it matters: Proxy layering is a classic corruption tactic to obscure beneficial ownership.
· Example: Ilham Tower and UK properties tied back to nominee companies.
· Source: Pandora Papers, MACC filings, UK Land Registry
Conclusion: The Weight of Evidence While Daim Zainuddin has never been convicted of corruption, the combination of:
· massive wealth far beyond declared earnings
· opaque asset structures
· offshore shelters and nominee networks
· refusal to comply with anti-graft law …makes the inference of corruption nearly unavoidable.
Even in death, corruption must not escape accountability. Every asset traceable to Daim — whether in Malaysia, the UK, or Africa — and now in the hands of his heirs, nominees, or proxies, must be pursued, frozen, investigated, and where appropriate, repatriated to the rakyat.
No legitimate business pathway has ever been shown that justifies his global asset footprint.
When one man controls billions through secret companies, while claiming innocence and refusing to declare his assets — the question isn’t if something is wrong.
The question is: How long did we let it happen?
Suggested Reading (Internal Links):
· [List of MACC Ongoing Cases]
· [Malaysia’s Pandora Papers: Full List of Politically Exposed Persons]
· [Understanding Section 36 of the MACC Act]
Suggested Outbound Links:
· ICIJ Pandora Papers Database
· [Bloomberg: ICB Banking Group Profile]
· MACC Official Website – Asset Declaration Notices
· [The Edge: Malaysia’s Ilham Tower Seizure Report (2023)] -
Anwar’s most disappointing failure is his administration’s fight against graft.
Many former political leaders who have amassed millions, if not trillions, of Ringgit are still roaming free without having to return the country’s wealth, selective prosecution has been taken against “political foes”.
No one is indispensable in any leadership.
Anwar chose nepotism and Umno-style cronyism by dumping PKR’s staunch Reformasi (Reformtion) leaders in the recent party elections. - Facebook image
This is where the corrupt should be confined to. - Facebook image accuracy not verified
No News Is Bad News reproduces below Tajuddin’s take on Malaysia’s political future:
Get smart – elections maths shows way forward for BN, PH
Malaysians must confront hard political truths and abandon fantasies of overnight change, or risk empowering forces that could shape the nation’s future for the worse.
Malaysians, and especially non-Malays, need a reality check. What many currently enjoy is a fantasy of privilege — they view Pakatan Harapan as a flop because their hope for change has not materialised.
Yet, consider this: it takes years to raise and shape our children, years to understand our spouses, and years to settle into our careers — so why do Malaysians seem to think that changing a nation is as simple as flipping a switch?
To some simple-minded Malaysians, being the boss, or the prime minister, means you can “buat apa saja” (do whatever you like). But nothing could be further from the truth, especially in a real democracy formed by coalition parties.
Only under a dictatorial regime led by a single, obedient party can a leader steer the ship entirely at their will. Even then, with the rise of social media, such control is increasingly a daunting task.
Now, the question I ask Malaysians is this: Will you accept Barisan Nasional and Umno? For most, the answer is a resounding “no”. The scars left by former leaders like Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Najib Razak are still fresh. These are not easy wounds to live with.
But in life, we live with what we have, or what God has given us. We do not spend our days grumbling to God about the hand we’ve been dealt. That, in essence, is the definition of life.
BN’s options
Now, let us take a reality check for GE16. Many are saying they will stay away from voting — and that would truly be the end of Malaysia.
First question: Can BN go solo in GE16?
What is Umno’s vote bank? Obviously, the Malays. But does Umno still have Malays in the palm of its hand? I don’t think so, judging by the votes Perikatan Nasional received in several recent by-elections. Worse, if BN goes it alone and ends up in a three-cornered fight with PH and PN, the Malay vote will split — and PH will win.
Some may ask: What if BN and Umno reinvent themselves as a “Malaysian-centric” party?
Well, then they’d risk losing whatever Malay support they still have. MIC and MCA, meanwhile, have not shown the creativity or momentum to become real reformist voices. So BN needs a partner to survive. The only question is: PH or PN?
Malay politics
Let’s say BN partners with PN. All Malay-majority seats would likely fall to this alliance. Why? Because a PN-BN partnership would be seen as a united Malay front.
Sounds good for Umno and BN? Not necessarily. It depends on how the seats are distributed.
Will Umno get a lion’s share — say, 50% — leaving PAS and Bersatu with 20% each and the remaining scraps to other component parties? Would PAS accept this, now that it’s the largest bloc in Parliament? Even DAP come second to them. Would PAS now defer to Umno, when PAS seems to think it has divine favour and can do no wrong?
At best, Umno might get a third or even a quarter of the seats. With that, it would have to settle for the role of deputy prime minister No 3 and not the prime minister’s post.
For Malaysians, this would mean the return of a conservative Malay government.
The unity way
On the other hand, let’s say BN and Umno choose to stick with PH. The accidental coalition of PH, BN, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah currently holds two-thirds of parliamentary seats and can easily defend them.
Seats in PAS-held Kedah, Terengganu, and Kelantan can be shared among PKR, Amanah, and Umno. Will Umno accept this “token” of kindness and pragmatism?
With strategic vote transfers, this coalition could defeat the smirks of Sanusi Nor and the arrogance of Abdul Hadi Awang — and wipe them off the political map once and for all.
Still, some Malaysians reject this kind of political mathematics. They want a third force. But who exactly is this third force? Will Parti Sosialis Malaysia and Muda team up with the Malaysian Advancement Party and Urimai? Who will be their Malay anchor? Pejuang? Seriously? Are we working with the “102-year-old future Mahathir”? Or will this “third force” end up as a minor bloc within PN, a mere footnote?
Can this third force, without PN’s machinery, realistically win a single seat? Please, lah.
Facing reality
So, that’s the political math as I see it for GE16. Malaysians need to smarten up and grow out of this fantasy of “spoilt privilege”.
If PN is wiped out, then perhaps BN can make a comeback in the 17th general election against PH. But if BN falters because non-Malays stay home sulking, then PN will come back stronger — and our children may have to live under Sanusi as head honcho.
These are the numbers. These are the realities. Malaysians must reflect deeply and support whichever coalition most closely aligns with their ideals. It’s time to wake up from the daydream of a fast-track Malaysia, a Malaysia that never existed in the first place.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
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