Environs Eagles

KELANTAN DARUL NAIM : The other side of the story.

If you are on the west coast or the south of West Malaysia, you have to visit Kelantan Darul Naim, the “Blissful Abode” on the north-east coast at least once to see it for yourself to know and believe the other side of the story.

The government and the people of Kelantan wish you come and explore and experience their hospitality and to also have a clearer understanding of the Kelantanese cultures and livelihood.

The state is almost synonymous with PAS, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (Islamic Party of Malaysia). PAS is a component party of Pakatan Rakyat, which currently plays an opposition role in the Federal Parliament of Malaysia.

Kelantan has been under PAS rule for two lengthy periods. The first period of their rule here began two years after the independence and lasted for 19 years (1959 – 1978). For a brief period from 1973 – 1978, the leadership of PAS then had decided to join Barisan Nasional. Through some dubious and ‘democratic’ efforts, PAS had lost control of the state for 12 years. In 1990 General Elections, PAS together with its Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah (APU) alliance returned with an over whelming victory winning all 39 states and 13 parliamentary seats. It had some turbulence phase during and after 2004GE but since 2008GE, PAS and its partners in Pakatan Rakyat are ever so strong and now unshakeable in Kelantan. They are ever ready to replicate this great milieu in the rest of Malaysia.

Why this feeling of confidence and security, more so now?

The answer is PAS Mursyidul Am (Spiritual Advisor) Tok Guru Dato’ Haji Nik Abdul Aziz Bin Nik Mat, the Mentri Besar of Kelantan. He is also revered as ‘The Father of Unity’. His style of administration of the state and his leading a team of leaders is exemplary.

95% of the Kelantanese are ethnic Malay Muslims. The other ethnic groups include the Siamese, Chinese and Indians, both multi-cultural and multi-religious.

The non-Muslim rights are better protected here. There are a number of Buddhist wats and Chinese temples, some deemed the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. Visit Bachok, Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kuala Krai, Gua Musang and of course the state capital, Kota Bharu to count the number of grandly-built, new and old, places of worship of the non-Muslims. To cater for the close to 1% Hindu and Punjabi/Sikh communities, there are several large Kuils and Gurdwaras. There are several Churches for the Christian congregations. Some denominations conduct their services in shop-lots and in multi-storey buildings too.

It is very interesting to note that while we have some contentions in other states where certain political parties and their affiliated NGOs are attempting to wedge apart racial harmony for their political and selfish reasons, the Kelantan state government and several district councils permit the operation of abattoirs and pork trading in the state. The sale of alcoholic beverages is permitted under licensed, for non-Muslims only. The non-vegetarian Chinese, Siamese and some Indian communities are at bliss.

See to believe. Watch the video, which comes in two parts. Better still, take the next holiday in Kelantan. Of course, a trip to Kelantan will be incomplete without taking the time to enjoy the many cultural performances, visits to the historical buildings and sites, choosing from a wide range of exquisite craft items and indulging in the various eco-adventure expeditions or just lazing on the fine beaches overlooking the South China Sea.

You will take back home fond memories of your experiential adventure.

View these 2-parts video.

A few days before Pakatan Rakyat (PR) celebrated its 2nd anniversary of its takeover of the Penang state government in March 2008, its chief minister announced that the state had sent a letter to the Election Commission (EC) asking the commission to conduct elections for two municipal councils in the Penang state.

Soon after, the PR held Selangor state government also committed to local council elections in the state and had informed the EC of the same.

The resurrection of local government elections was a 2008 general elections pledge given by the PR component parties.

It has been over 40 years since the Barisan Nasional (BN) held federal government outlawed local council elections through the Local Government Act 1976. Local polls were suspended following the declaration of emergency on September 3, 1964, which remains in force until to-date.

The Malaysians at large applauded both the Penang and Selangor state governments for their political maturity in responding to the peoples call to restore the mechanism for local democracy.

The citizens also want Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his BN administration to be responsible to take the lead to ensure the EC assists in the administration of the local council elections in both the states Penang and Selangor and ensure a free and fair election process.

Najib Abdul Razak came out strongly against restoring the local council elections deeming the third vote unnecessary. He said it would cause too much politicking. He said that instead of electing the local government representatives, the focus should be on improving services of local authorities and providing the best service to the people.

The EC chief Abdul Aziz Yusof had replied to both the Penang and Selangor state governments that he will respond to them based on ECs interpretation of the law adding that EC will not be bonded by the opinions of either the prime minister or the opposition held state governments.

Without any discussions held with the two state governments, Abdul Aziz came back with a reply saying that EC cannot conduct local polls as it is bound by laws such as Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171) which states that local government polls have effectively been abolished. He asks the two state governments to bring up the matter with the National Council for Local Government.

Prior to the 2008 general elections, all state governments were held by BN, with the exception of Kelantan. Almost all local councils were located in urban areas. The councillors were political appointees by the state governments, recommended by their respective political parties.

There was an increase in citations and complaints on alleged poor administration and weak financial management. The councillors positions, which came with an official small allowance, were deemed to have lots of unaccountable perks. There were rampant reports on how the councils finances were lavishly spent on wasteful projects, projects which were alleged to be mere fronts to make some fast bucks. Some councils spent lavishly on luxurious overseas trips under the guise of study tours, some bringing along their whole family including the domestic workers. There was no need to submit any ROI (return of investment) reports.

The use of agents and the presence of rent-seekers in the middlemen or the orang tengah industry has become synonymous with doing business in Malaysia. Every right-thinking Malaysian is saying enough is enough.

The peoples rage to have the local council elections reinstated is to eliminate these long prevailing menaces. They want to be empowered again. They want to have their say and exercise their democratic rights for representation at the local level.

There are obviously more speculations as to the real reasons why the current BN federal government is adamant in denying the peoples call for their rights to the third vote.

R. Vijay Kumar, a Citizen Journalist, met several local councillors from the state of Selangor to get their thoughts and expert opinions of the issue, and thus this 2-parts video.

In the Part 1 video, several local councilors gave their perspective for local government polls and also why they rather be elected by people than just to be appointed to the position.

In the Part 2 video, Derek John Fernandez, an urban planning lawyer and a councillor with Petaling Jaya City Council shares some methods and avenues as to how to have a people-elected and represented local council.