Foul!

UPDATE (May 12, 1.18pm):  Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri are scheduled to have a press conference at 2pm. Here are some questions I hope that would be asked (if they allow questions from the Press that is): i. Why didn't Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri play check and balance and looked into Dr Mahathir Mohamad's calls just before he quit Umno in 2016? (Read: Umno Youth loyal because Najib produces results, says Khairy ). ii. Despite so many nationwide programmes involving the masses and youths, it is evident they failed to translate into votes. Shouldn't Pemuda, Wanita and Puteri be also held accountable over Barisan Nasional's failure in GE14? iii. And if change they are demanding - then should the change start with new faces heading Pemuda, Wanita and Puteri? --- UPDATE (May 12, 12.49am):  Watch the KiniTV video   Tegang  ...pemuda umno 'bergelut' pada majlis ulangtahun Umno Also read:  Khairy:  The time to rebuild Umno...

Pic from Jelita (http://www.jelita.com.my/gaya-hidup/dolly-dim-sum-kini-di-sunway-putra-mall/) THE Mall - once a shopping haven in the 1990s and just walking distance for those who lived at Pekeliling Flats. The main attraction was its indoor theme park - Starlight Express - where rides like the Matterhorn and The Ship were a hit. It was (and still is) a meeting place for politicians - mainly Umno members as the headquarters is  located just opposite the main road. Today the Mall has been re-branded to Sunway Putra Mall. Starlight Express is no more as the space now houses cafes and restaurants. But the most famous eatery is Dolly Dim Sum - located on the ground floor near the main entrance. And it is here you not only get delicious halal dim sum but also interesting conversations about Umno and politics. "It's clear some people are gunning to take on big roles to elevate their status in both Umno and the government," said a long-time Umno member and a cl...

Many of our leaders tend to live in a bubble, unaware of the real sentiments on the ground.  They hardly interact with those from all walks and are often advised by their lackeys — yes-men who are only eager to say nice things and will do whatever it takes to keep their jobs and to satisfy their egos. I’ve had the luxury of meeting a whole lot of people in recent months and when we spoke about GE14, many said: “Give me a reason to vote.” This explains the mission by political parties to quickly convert the very many fence sitters out there — especially the supposedly educated bunch who are quick to formulate opinions based on catchy headlines or unverified videos sent via Whatsapp or Telegram. The BN-Umno dilemma One of the people I spoke is a familiar face in the political scene. He said: “Let’s put it this way, even if an Umno or BN leader was telling the truth, it will still be viewed as a lie. That’s the current public perception. Only their machais wil...

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol SHE put on a mesmerising performance that awed the audience. Her rendition of the classic hit Seri Mersing was unorthodox compared to versions by Saloma, Datuk Sharifah Aini and Datuk Siti Nurhaliza. But one cannot imagine the agony and despair Najwa Mahiaddin went through at the 27th Malaysian Film Festival, which was organised by National Film Development Corporation (Finas) last Saturday. And one would not fault her if she had shed a tear or two when she was not allowed to perform at the eleventh hour. In fact, the term eleventh hour is an understatement for the host, Nabil Ahmad, was just about to invite her on stage when he received orders to cut for a commercial break. Nabil, a comedian, could not hide his expression as he was confused by the situation. After the commercial break, Najwa was nowhere to be seen. Backstage, her representatives had a tough time understanding why sh...

Others I spoke to said the drama in MCA beats any TVB series and MCA is yesterday’s news. Many are unable to relate to such politics. They find it easy to consume a fabricated lie against the establishment than the truth. They would grab onto anything to slam leaders.   Such frustration is fueled by the lack of explanation and initiative to embrace the people. It is typical human nature to be defensive when attacked but the key to earning admiration is to admit, rectify and progress.   Instead, we are bombarded with nauseating claims of phantom voters, immoral activities and corrupt practices. What about the party? What about the people?   There are agendas behind every political party but priority must be on the man on the street.   Political parties are not a playground for the elite few. Those within are supposedly elected representatives of the people, a reflection of a particular community. Thus the voices of the community must be aired — re...

It was an interesting conversation with Kelantan FA president Annuar Musa, who is also the Ketereh MP. Annuar Musa spoke about the privatisation of the M-League - where a workshop will be held by the FA of Malaysia tomorrow (Oct 10) at UiTM in Shah Alam. My question, we spoke about privatising the league in 2005 through the establishment of MSL Sdn Bhd. Why are we speaking about it all over again? Read Dare to change, FAM? in Haresh Says today. Also, Annuar Musa was irked when several Facebook commentators had paid credit to the Pas spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat after fans were seen praying at the stands and sidelines of the stadium in Kota Baru. He says the stadium is small, forcing fans to pray at those locations - but more importantly, this is one of the very many reasons how Umno has allowed Pas to take advantage of the situation. Umno needs to act like an opposition in Kelantan, he says. And where is the 40,000 capacity stadium Nik Aziz promised in 2011, he asked?...

Umno’s Ketereh division leader Tan Sri Annuar Musa has described the new rules ahead of the party polls as similar to that of a “beauty pageant”. “You take the candidates on a stage, introduce them to the delegates and they wave. This is not how you select a leader. “The Umno elections are not a beauty pageant,” Annuar said. He said candidates should be judged based on the way they debate, articulate ideas, express their thoughts on current issues and should be given the opportunity to interact with the voting delegates. “We must take the spirit of the liberating power of the grassroots. Delegates should be allowed to meet and know their candidates.” The Mara chairman said this when met at his house in Bukit Damansara. He was discharged from hospital last Saturday after being admitted for dengue fever for more than a week.  Read more in The Malay Mail today. HD says : Annuar Musa revealed he has only been admitted in a hospital twice - once for a motorcycle crash during hi...

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin insists the soon-to-be-launched book on his father-in-law, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, will neither help nor frustrate his cause as he seeks to defend his post during the Umno elections in October. Meanwhile, the Rembau MP spends some time speaking about his 100 days in office - as he spoke about claims that he is too eager for changes, presumption he is spending more time on sports than youth, on making popular statements and his aspirations. Read ' Awakening not a problem ' and ' It's more than fun and games' in The Malay Mail today.