Let this year’s Merdeka Day celebration spark a new national discourse on rewriting the Malaysian script so that it focuses on our “common humanity”, says Lembah Pantai member of parliamant (MP) Nurul Izzah Anwar of PKR.

In an email interview, Nurul Izzah, 30, speaks about the crucial need to replace the old national script, which continues to dwell on the spectre of inter-communal strife, and says politicians should not stand in the way of promoting patriotism and nationalism.

Below are her answers to our Merdeka Day questions.

What, to your mind, should be the next major goal for Malaysians?
We need a new script to follow, as the old script continues to play on the bogeyman of inter-communal strife and Malay insecurities… To achieve this, we need a new era of constructive engagement involving all stakeholders to chart a new script based on the principles of a modern, progressive economy and the ideals of our founding fathers.

Our country has lost its competitiveness. It has become more risky and less attractive for foreign investment. Foreign investments are crucial for development and prosperity as we cannot rely solely on domestic-led investments.

Economic reforms are a prerequisite, but not sufficient, to achieve the performance of a high-income economy. Civil reform is a necessary step.

In today’s borderless world, what does independence mean to you?
Independence, in a democratic and pluralistic society, means freedom in all forms as dictated by our constitution… We must look forward. We must be allowed to pursue our dreams and fulfil our potential as a people and nation that has historically been inclusive and diverse.

In fact, diversity is our nation’s foundation and it is this diversity that will make us stronger and help us grow as a proud and prosperous nation.

What is your idea of nationalism and national cohesiveness?
Our identity must be Malaysian. Our interest must be the Malaysian interest.

By celebrating our differences, we can then frame a new national script that will make us a more humanistic nation. At the core of our ethnic existence lies our common humanity, which must be our reason for a common identity and polity that is Malaysia.

Rhetorics aside, we need all these ideals to be translated into action. Politicians should lead the charge, not stand in the way of promoting true patriotism and nationalism.

Is Malaysia heading in the right direction as a society? What would you change about the national outlook?
Political tension and temperature are rising due to the irresponsible play, by certain groups, on Malay insecurities. We must not allow “ultra” views to gain mainstream support or we might regress to tribalism and feudalism. My vision is for Malays to rise as a confident society.

The real debate should be about how, after 53 years of independence, the Malays have come to perceive themselves as being more insecure, disadvantaged and under siege. Why have the numerous government policies intended to create a more equitable and just society, but now undermined by corruption and institutional abuse, been allowed to continue unchallenged?

This is the national outlook or consciousness that I would like to see change. (I would like for us to think that) we can be truly independent, because there is hope which lies in the hearts of all Malaysians.

What are Malaysia’s prospects for the next generation?
The outlook is bright and promising. We are witnessing an unstoppable generational shift, a new consciousness brought about by… [a] movement of a new Malaysian generation (driven) by the information age.

No longer are we blinded or misled by propaganda and mere rhetoric. We understand political theatrics as we see it. We feel empowered and have the God-given right to chart our own future by writing our own Malaysian script. We sense that the tide of history is on our side.

We are optimistic and ever hopeful that this new generation is on the edge of a new beginning. All we have to do is believe and just do the right thing.

What is your wish for Malaysia this Merdeka Day?
My wish is for all Malaysians to stand up and claim our right to live in the spirit of Merdeka. That’s all we have to do now as we face the grumblings and crumbling of the old order.

This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, August 30 2010.

Mariam Mokhtar
Aug 30, 10 11:57am

Three BN ministers were not speaking from a position of strength when they labeled PKR politician Nurul Izzah Anwar a traitor and a sinner for saying in an Indonesian newspaper, that Malaysia’s new, multimillion ringgit submarine is defective.

She also highlighted the problems plaguing our navy and expressed doubts about the New Economic Policy (NEP).

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom said, “Those who tarnish their country’s image with the aim of causing turmoil are regarded to have sinned.”

The truth hurts, but Jamil is mad to brand people who are critical of the Malaysian government as ’sinners’.

He then said: “We should love our country and be prepared to defend it, as defending our own country is a jihad (holy war) which carries a big divine reward.”

Calling the defence of one’s country a jihad is wrong. 

The last idiot who used a similar pejorative term was George W Bush. He used the expression ‘crusade’, to describe his country’s response to the Sept 11 attacks.

Terms like ‘crusade’ and jihad produce a negative reaction in both Christian and Muslim communities.

(more…)

By Stephanie Sta Maria THU, 26 AUG 2010 10:44

SPECIAL REPORT ON KL The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur has long been a political trophy for the government and the opposition and the competition took a fierce turn after 2008.

Prior to that fateful year, the Barisan Nasional (BN) enjoyed dominion over the city with seven representatives in the 11 constituencies. The tsunami washed out six of them thus putting the trophy in the hands of Pakatan Rakyat.

Now BN understandably wants it back and has begun its conquest with the key constituency of Lembah Pantai. But MP Nurul Izzah Anwar isn’t going down without a fight.

Right now though, her days are occupied by regular scuffles with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), which she claimed is an immovable block in her path towards serving her constituents.

“Most of the issues plaguing Lembah Pantai, like enforcement, public housing and services, fall under DBKL’s purview,” she said. “Which means that all the opposition MPs in KL are at the mercy of DBKL’s officers, legislations and structure. And our role is made even more complex by the on-going dynamics between elected and appointed representatives.”

One particular DBKL practice that has Nurul gritting her teeth in frustration is its lack of transparency in issuing housing to the people of Kampung Kerinchi. Her requests that DBKL publicly display a list of recipients has gone unheeded.

“The list is crucial so people know that no invisible hand is involved in the distribution of housing,” she emphasised. “But DBKL is still continuing to operate based on its whim and fancy. There is no way of tracking the basic requirements to qualify for housing, and when there is no rule of thumb or consistency, the whole process is then open to abuse.”

(more…)

Free Malaysia Today TUE, 24 AUG 2010 06:00

By Nurul Izzah Anwar

COMMENT A Malay daily recently declared that a civil war would break out in the country. And this war would dwarf the May 13 1969 racial riot – the worst in Malaysia’s history. The war, said the newspaper, is a response to a non-existing amended constitution that abolishes the special position of the Malays and Islam.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin also made reference to the 1969 riot in his comment when he reminded his Barisan Nasional (BN) colleague, Dr Chua Soi Lek, to tone down his demands to scrap what the government likes to call the pro-Malay economic policy.

In Penang, we heard stories that the name of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has been replaced with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in Friday sermons in some mosques in the state.

Apart from some Umno leaders who are fond of making racist comments, we also now have Perkasa which claimed to champion the constitutional position of the Malays.

These stories have been reported at length and front-paged by many newspapers, inviting discussions from both sides of the political divide.

These stories are not new. Many of us have heard similar stories not too long ago.

Remember in 1987 when Umno organised a racially charged political rally? It was followed by detention of many opposition leaders, including Karpal Singh and Guan Eng, under Operasi Lalang.

I wonder what the people behind the recent racial provocations hope to achieve.

(more…)

Malaysiakini

Hazlan Zakaria Aug 15, 10  12:15pm

PKR parliamentarians have extended a call offering Deputy Higher Education Minister Saifuddin Abdullah the lead in a bi-partisan parliamentary caucus to pave the way for student participation in politics.

“About students in politics, we are willing to work with YB Saifuddin in a caucus to work towards abolishing the University and University College Act (UUCA),” said PKR Lembah Pantai parliamentarian Nurul Izzah Anwar.

She added that despite Saifuddin (right) being a top Umno leader, they are still willing to work with him as long as the common goal can be attained.

Saifuddin has been vocal in supporting students’ participation in politics, despite the hardline approach taken by other Umno leaders against the move.

The proposal to allow student involvement gained momentum recently after the government decided to reverse an earlier ban on graduate teachers from politics.

Nurul Izzah said this at a press conference after PKR facilitated a seminar on the perspective of youth on current affairs.

Nearly 80 students and young professionals attended the seminar organised by the Selangor State Economic Planning Unit (Upen), discussing their views on matters like education, economy and governance.

Direct elections: Zaid’s views welcomed

At the same press conference, PKR leaders were also asked if they were disappointed with Pakatan Rakyat co-ordinator Zaid Ibrahim’s recent comments against the party’s newly mooted code of ethics for party election candidates.

Zaid (right) had criticised the code of ethics as encumbering candidates from being able to campaign and promote themselves adding that such strict rules mirrors the practice of his former party Umno.

“We welcome his views; we respect it, though we would have liked it better if it were not aired publicly. But we accept his opinion as part of the democratic process,” said Nurul Izzah.

PKR youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin who was also there added that they view the matter as a positive development in the party, as it evolves towards the better.

“The question of disappointment never arose,” said the youth chief.

He added that a special committee has been set up under party vice-president R Sivarasa to look into suggestions such as those raised by Zaid, to ensure that the code of ethics is implemented smoothly and in a structured manner

Dear friends,

For those of you who would like more details on the specific clauses we were concerned about, pls browse through the following.

And.. for the record, PR Lawmakers are FOR the Wildlife Bill 2010

KRITIKAN BERKAITAN RANG UNDANG

Open Letter on the Wildlife Bill (printable)