PRM President Dr Rohana Ariffin at ABU’s first official ceramah

“Rakyat Can Feel Umno’s Fear”

by Haider Yutim

GOMBAK, 15 DECEMBER, 2011: Umno's “momentum of fear” is being felt by every rakyat in Malaysia, said Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) Secretary-General S Arutchelvan.   Speaking to more than 1,000-strong ABU supporters at the 'Rapat Rakyat: Asalkan Bukan Umno (ABU)' ceramah, Arutchelvan (left) said that Malaysia have finally awakened to reach to a new level of the political awareness. He said now that the rakyat are able to see through Umno-Barisan Nasional the people are breaking their silence to reject the party.   Haris Ibrahim. "We are in the environment which is demanding for change... the rakyat are now mature and ready to fight against Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN)," said Arul. In his fiery speech, Arul told about the time of pre-independence where most political parties were banned and its members imprisoned. He said the only political party that remained at that time was Umno, and that the British had intentionally allowed the party to remain so their power over the country would be passed on to their preferred political party. Badrul Hisham Shaharin aka Chegubard.He said the Internal Security Act (ISA) was also widely used to safeguard the security of Umno leaders. "The ISA Act is used to safeguard the leaders of Umno... Umno continued to live because of the ISA," said Arul. In his full-spirited speech, Arul told the crowd that instead of the world coming to an end in year 2012, it would be Umno’s reign which will be ending next year. "If they want to use the police or the ISA... we want to say, we are not afraid of anyone anymore!" added Arul to loud cheers from with supporters who had packed hall in Taman Melewar, Gombak. Mahfuz Omar.ABU’s first official ceramah chaired by Solidarity Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) Pesident Badrul Hisham Shaharin (also known as Chegubard) was also attended by Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) President Haris Ibrahim, Benny Loh of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) President Dr Rohana Ariffin and PAS Vice President Datuk Mahfuz Omar. - mD

PRM is part of 'ABU' Movement

"ABU" Movement Announces Nationwide Blitz to Call on M'sians to Reject Umno

by Dajmarizal Zolkipli

KUALA LUMPUR, 9 DECEMBER, 2011: A movement which calls itself ABU or Asalkan Bukan Umno (Anyone But Umno) announced its bold statement calling Malaysians to rise up to voice out their displeasure towards Umno and reject the party in the runup to the 13th General Election. In a statement made by one of the movement’s main representatives Badrul Hisham, better known as Chegubard, during its first media conference, he urged Malaysians, especially those who have been marginalized to break out from their silence. “We are calling out to all workers, farmers, fishermen, associations, organizations, government bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties – excluding Umno, opposition parties or Independent parties, professionals, academicians and intellectuals, artists and all those who are marginalized including Mat Rempits, the homeless, unemployed and others to establish clearly (through media statements or demonstrations) our loss of confidence towards Umno which has lost its purpose, corrupt, conceited, oppressive, ruthless and more lately ignorant and arrogant,” he said to those who attended the media conference held at the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall here, today. “Now is not the time to remain silent anymore and disregard, unless you are willing to bequeath Malaysia which has been impoverished to our future generations. Do we still fail to see or intentionally allow the little that’s left of our democratic rights which have mostly been denied while our demands continue to be ignored?” he added. Badrul, who is also the chairman of Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) and a PKR member also announced that ABU will be launching a nationwide campaign to call on to Malaysians voice out their “disgust and repulsion towards the misappropriations and corruption being practiced by Umno”. Alongside Badrul were Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) President Haris Ibrahim (right) and representatives from Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and various non-governmental organizations. Earlier, the same announcement was made by PRM President Dr Rohana Ariffin in a media conference held in Penang and it is believed that the ABU message had been spread throughout each state in the Peninsula today whereas, in Sabah and Sarawak, the message will be announced tomorrow. PSM central community member, V Selvam said: “PSM supports the statement and objective of ABU”, said Selvam. “Umno have shown its bad treatment towards rakyat demands over this years, this is the time rakyat rise and demand for changes,” he added He further claimed that PSM had recently suffered ill treatment by the Umno/BN government which had collaborated with authorities and “racial mobs” during the detention of the EO6 where 28 of PSM members were detained under the Emergency Ordinance for allegedly waging war against the King. “PSM members in a bus were surrounded by 200 Malay mobs and when they tried to escape into the police station to seek for help, the police restrained from doing their job to protect us,” said Selvan. “This shows how the police and authorities are controlled by Umno/BN government,” Selvan added. Meanwhile, Haris Ibrahim of MCLM said that ABU was set to reach to the rakyat with information that will show how Umno have been manipulating the country for the past six decades. “Even before the Independence, Umno has been largely responsible in manipulating towards the rakyat, “It is now that ABU will expose all (of Umno’s wrongdoings) and spread it to the rakyat to prove that the sentiments that Umno helps and protects Malaysians are wrong,” said Haris. Another member of the movement, Zukarnain Abdullah (left) of PRM, said the party accepts the statements read by Badrul. He also urged Malaysians to use the ABU movement in rejecting Umno and its “manipulation” once and for all. “I call for Malaysians to use this chance and execute Umno. Let’s stop them from ruling this country for they have ruled this country badly, he said. Meanwhile, Badrul, when asked about ABU, said that it is a non-structured movement and people from all segments of life are invited to join the movement. “We (ABU) are not linked to any political party. We are independent and this is a movement, not an organization. This is the rakyat’s movement,” he said. Earlier, Badrul announced that ABU will be holding a big forum at Taman Melewar, Gombak on December 15, 2011 at 8pm which will be attended by the rakyat from all over Malaysia. He added that the movement will also be making another big announcement which will change the “unhealthy political situation” in the country. - mD

PRM Has Not Confirmed on Creating Third Force with NGOs, Says President

by Haider Yutim

PETALING JAYA, 8 DECEMBER, 2011: Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) President Dr Rohana Ariffin today said that the party has not confirmed any move to join forces with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to offer itself  as the 'third force' for the next general election. Referring to a statement made by PRM's vice-president Koh Swe Yong in the Sun Daily yesterday, Dr Rohana said it was a statement made in his own capacity, and not a statement by PRM's central administration.   "Not a statement made by the party... it's a statement made by Koh's own capacity. "The authenticity of PRM comes from statements made by the party's three leaders – president, deputy president and the secretary-general," she said when contacted by Malaysian Digest today. She said, as far as the party is concerned, the decision to work with other groups is still in the process of discussion. She added that the same goes for the decision on the three parliamentary seats in Balik Pulau, Selayang and Petaling Jaya Selatan as to whether it is just a suggestion or an open negotiation because the party wishes to avoid three-cornered fights. "We are still in the process of negotiation and have not confirmed anything yet... We are still working it out," she said when asked to comment on the possibility of the party working together with NGOs and contesting in the three parliamentary seats. Nevertheless, Dr Rohana said other parties should not misconstrue the party's suggestion to contest in the general election. However, she said for now PRM is planning to reestablish the party again by reactivating the branches in few states of the country. "But for now our main focus is to rebuild the party by activating its branches in various states including Kedah, Penang, Pahang and Johor," she said. Yesterday, the Sun Daily reported a statement from Koh that PRM is planning to join forces with more than 10 NGOs to offer themselves as the third force in the next general election. However, according to a report in China Press on Dec 5, the third force’s (parties not under Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat) candidates will be contesting under the PRM banner, and the party has identified three parliamentary seats in the Klang Valley to contest in. - mD