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Wednesday, 01-Oct-2003 12:44 AM LOONY MALAYSIA BN’s Election Manifesto: An interview with a Malaysian Minister FAC News (FAC): Thank you, Yang Berhormat, for agreeing to this interview. Minister (YB): It’s my pleasure. The people cannot now say that we don’t entertain the opposition media. FAC: Yes, and today we would like to talk about Barisan Nasional’s Election Manifesto for the coming elections. In the last general election in 1999, BN did not launch any manifesto. Why is that? And will you be launching one this time around? YB: We did not launch any manifesto the last election because we did not need to. The opposition needed to do so because it has not ruled this country yet, so it needed to make promises as to what it would do if it formed the government. But we have been in power since August 1957. The people know what we are capable of doing. Why do we need to make promises in an election manifesto like the opposition? Our excellent track record speaks for itself. FAC: Yes, the Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, also said the same thing in November 1999 during the launching ceremony of BN’s election machinery at the Bukit Jalil Stadium. He said that the BN needs not launch an elaborate and impressive Election Manifesto like the opposition as the ruling party’s track record speaks for itself. Does this mean the PM admitted the opposition’s Election Manifesto was good? YB: We did not say it was good. We just said it is elaborate and impressive. It is just that we need not be as elaborate and impressive. This does not mean the opposition's manifesto is good. FAC: If you say so. But we were told the BN had also prepared its own Election Manifesto. However, after Dr Mahathir saw the opposition’s Election Manifesto, he felt the BN’s was not good enough and he decided not to launch it. Is this so? YB: That’s not true. That’s opposition propaganda. As you know, the opposition is good at this kind of propaganda. Do they have any proof to support this allegation? FAC: Yes they do, from the millions of copies of BN Election Manifesto booklets printed in four languages. YB: They can always claim that. But as long as none of these booklets were released to the public they cannot prove this. FAC: But wouldn’t this allegation make sense? Every General Election before that, BN has always launched an Election Manifesto. And, the next election, BN will again launch a manifesto. Was it only a coincidence that BN did not launch a manifesto when the opposition launched one that was better? YB: Yes, it was only a coincidence. FAC: Okay then, if you say so, and what will your manifesto for the next election be about? YB: Well, other than the normal things involving the economy, employment opportunities, development, national security, racial harmony, education, health, international relations, and so on, we shall this time also be addressing the fundamental rights and liberties of the people. FAC: Ah, fundamental rights and liberties, an issue the opposition has been propagating for some time. YB: The opposition might be propagating this issue, but they don’t practice it, they just talk about it. And, when they are in power in Terengganu, the first thing they do is deny the Terengganu people their fundamental rights and liberties. FAC: In what way have they done this YB? YB: Well, take the liquor issue as an example. Why do they ban liquor from government-owned hotels? Isn’t this denying the non-Muslims their rights? FAC: But they banned liquor from just two state government-owned hotels. It is still available in other hotels and shops in the state. In fact, you can buy liquor anywhere in Terengganu. How can you say they are denying the non-Muslims their rights? After all, as the owners of the hotel, they can determine what can and cannot be sold on its premises. This also happens in other hotels all over the world. YB: We cannot accept this argument. You are trying to say the sale of liquor should be made optional and that it should be left to the hotel owner whether to allow it on its premises or not. We are saying we cannot allow this. If we make it optional, then people will choose not to sell it. Then one percent of Terengganu’s population will be denied their right to buy liquor in government hotels. FAC: So, what is your solution to this? YB: Well, just like in all Malaysian Government rulings, we will make it compulsory. We have found this is the only way to deal with Malaysians, make it compulsory. Only then will people do it. If you leave it to them, then they will not do it. Like raising the Malaysian flag on Merdeka day. If you leave it to them, you think anyone will raise the flag? Even Umno people will not bother to do it. So we make it compulsory and threaten to withdraw their citizenship and so on to make them do it. FAC: I see, so you will make it compulsory for government hotels to sell liquor to ensure the rights of one percent of the liquor-drinking population in Terengganu is protected? YB: That’s right. FAC: And what about Coke? YB: Coke? What about it? FAC: Many shops and restaurants in Terengganu refuse to sell Coke. This is denying five percent of the Coke-drinking population of Terengganu their rights as well. YB: Why do they refuse to sell Coke? FAC: Because of the anti-Israel lobby. In fact, even in Kuala Lumpur and other parts of Malaysia, many shops and restaurants, especially Indian Muslim-owned ones, now also boycott Coke. YB: Well, in that case, to also protect the rights of five percent of the Terengganu people, we will make it compulsory for all shops and restaurants to sell Coke. We will make it an offence to boycott Coke. FAC: Great, I am sure this is very reassuring for Coke drinkers, heart specialists and dentists. And what about pork? YB: What about it? FAC: All Malaysian hotels, not only in Terengganu, but all over Malaysia as well, even Chinese-owned hotels, refuse to sell pork. In Islam, liquor is a bigger deal than pork. In fact, in the event there is no other food around, to avoid starving to death, Muslims are permitted to eat pork. Aren’t the rights of the non-Muslims also being denied when hotels refuse to sell pork? YB: Yes, you are right, we shall also make it compulsory for hotels to sell pork. We will make a note of this in our Election Manifesto. This will be our promise to the non-Muslims in Terengganu. And this is something the opposition cannot offer the non-Muslims. FAC: And what about beef? YB: I don’t understand the question. FAC: Hindu shops and restaurants in Terengganu do not sell beef. 97% of the people in Terengganu are Muslims and they eat beef. Since you have now restored the rights of one percent of Terengganu’s liqour-drinking population, should not the rights of 97% of Terengganu’s beef-eating population also be protected? YB: You are right. I will also take note of this point. We will promise the Terengganu voters that all Hindu shops will be forced to sell beef. This is only fair since 97% of Terengganu’s population eat beef. FAC: Thank you so much for your explanation YB. I am sure BN’s manifesto this election will be very interesting indeed. YB: Thank you. We will certainly give the opposition a run for their money. They cannot offer the Terengganu voters what we can, absolute restoration of their fundemantal rights and liberties. Previous articles in the LOONY MALAYSIA series: 1. An interview with an Umno Terengganu Kingpin - 4 September 2003 2. Happy whatever day - 31 August 2003 3. An explanation on Malaysia’s “missing” Stripes - 30 August 2003 4. Wouldn’t it be great if….. - 28 August 2003 5. Malaysia and its Islamic policies - 20 August 2003 6. An interview with a Malaysian leader about his view on human rights - 2 June 2003 7. How to squeeze 200,000 people into a stadium built for 100,000 - 13 March 2003 8. Virus-like computer infection disrupts Internet services worldwide - 27 January 2003 9. Malaysian kids have bad eyesight, and vote opposition - 27 January 2003 10. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall Check
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