People Progressive Party mother of herd mentality
People Progressive
During PPP Federal Territories convention today, partypresident M Kayveas claimed that many youths who took part in the mammoth rally for clean and fair elections on April 28 did not understand the rally’s cause.
"If you ask them why they went, they will say they don't know, they just followed their friends.
"This is the kind of society we have now. We don't think," he said.
"If you ask them why they went, they will say they don't know, they just followed their friends.
"This is the kind of society we have now. We don't think," he said.
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Andrew Ong and Kuek Ser Kuang Keng
Oct 20, 07 Malaysiakini
Oct 20, 07 Malaysiakini
People’s Progressive Party (PPP) members are left reeling after
receiving a political blow from Umno’s third most powerful leader
during the Malacca PPP annual general assembly early this week.
At the assembly on Monday, Umno vice-president Mohd Ali Rustam
delivered a scathing speech which chided the PPP for “threatening”
Barisan Nasional for more seats to contest in the coming general election
He also repeatedly stressed that PPP could leave the BN fold if it was
unhappy.
This left many party members in a daze at how
Mohd Ali - who was the guest of honour as Malacca chief minister -
could utter such remarks.
“He came to our house, seemingly with the intention to humiliate us,”
“He came to our house, seemingly with the intention to humiliate us,”
said a PPP source who attended the event.
Eyewitnesses said a handful of party members stormed out of the
Eyewitnesses said a handful of party members stormed out of the
venue in protest, but that did not deter Mohd Ali.
“PPP can leave BN,” said Mohd Ali.
Show of hands
Mohd Ali also claimed that the Umno supreme council was unhappy
He even asked if any of the delegates formerly with Umno, MCA,
Mohd Ali also took a dig at Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob
“That's his business. As far as I am concerned - no seat in Malacca (for
When Mohd Ali wrapped up his tirade and declared the assembly open,
Eyewitnesses reported that PPP president M Kayveas maintained
Funeral-like atmosphere
When contacted, Kayveas said delegates were “disappointed and
Kayveas said delegates were expecting inspiring speeches from Mohd Ali
“(Instead) the chief minister's speech made the entire assembly feel
“Unfortunately, BN is not loyal to PPP. Promises were unfulfilled. It was
Critics don’t know history
Murugiah later praised PPP president M Kayveas for reminding the public
“Whenever Kayveas speaks up on additional seats for PPP, there are a
“Conclusively, these criticism comes from people who don’t know
At a press conference later, Kayveas said he supported Murugiah’s
After missing out on the action during the 1990, 1995 and 1999
Since then, the party had been frantically trying to convince its BN
Where’s Umno Youth?
Their efforts have been met by brickbats from Gerakan, MIC and more
In a related development, Umno Youth top brass were noticeably absent
Traditionally, Umno Youth would assign its top brass to officiate
Quizzed on this, Murugiah said that Umno Youth chief Hishamuddin
He added that three Umno Youth representatives were present but they
“PPP can leave BN,” said Mohd Ali.
He then pointed at the stunned delegates and added: “All of you can
leave. Either today or tomorrow. Why wait until the general election?
What’s there to wait for?”
Show of hands
Mohd Ali also claimed that the Umno supreme council was unhappy
with PPP for accepting former Umno members as their members.
He even asked if any of the delegates formerly with Umno, MCA,
Gerakan and MIC to put up their hands.
Mohd Ali also took a dig at Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob
for suggesting that PPP should ask every state for a seat to contest in.
“That's his business. As far as I am concerned - no seat in Malacca (for
PPP),” he added.
When Mohd Ali wrapped up his tirade and declared the assembly open,
PPP delegates refused to applaud.
Eyewitnesses reported that PPP president M Kayveas maintained
his composure throughout the hour-long speech and was seen vigorously
taking down notes.
Funeral-like atmosphere
When contacted, Kayveas said delegates were “disappointed and
dejected” by the “unwarranted and undiplomatic” remarks uttered by Mohd Ali.
Kayveas said delegates were expecting inspiring speeches from Mohd Ali
in order to prepare the party for the upcoming general election.
“(Instead) the chief minister's speech made the entire assembly feel
like a funeral. As the third highest ranking in Umno, the consequences of
his speech worries me,” he said.
He added that some remarks which Mohd Ali made regarding other
He added that some remarks which Mohd Ali made regarding other
BN component parties and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi were
also uncalled for.
According to media sources, Mohd Ali had
According to media sources, Mohd Ali had
asked journalists to exclude the hard-hitting part
of his speech in their reports. He claimed these
were only meant for the delegates.
It is uncertain if Mohd Ali’s speech would lead to souring ties between
It is uncertain if Mohd Ali’s speech would lead to souring ties between
PPP and Umno.
However, there is already talks within PPP rank-and-file that the party
However, there is already talks within PPP rank-and-file that the party
may silently boycott Umno programmes and functions.
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Andrew Ong
Oct 20, 07 Malaysiakini Andrew Ong
People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Youth chief T Murugiah today ticked
off Barisan Nasional coalition partners for not fulfilling its three-decade-
old promise of a fair allocation of seats to the party.
In his policy speech at the national PPP Youth annual general
In his policy speech at the national PPP Youth annual general
assembly, Murugiah said PPP made a “huge sacrifice” in becoming a
founding partner of BN - which was preceded by the Alliance coalition -
in 1972, and remained a loyal member of BN until today.
“Unfortunately, BN is not loyal to PPP. Promises were unfulfilled. It was
empty promises. Eyes and ears are closed to the voices of our half
million members,” he said.
According to Murugiah, PPP agreed to join the BN coalition on the premise
that it would be able to retain its four parliamentary and 12 state seats
it held in 1972.
The agreement also allowed PPP to have additional seats, amounting
The agreement also allowed PPP to have additional seats, amounting
to five percent of seats contested by BN, whenever the there is
a redelineation exercise, said Murugiah.
During his speech, Murugiah shouted “Barisan Nasional, return our
During his speech, Murugiah shouted “Barisan Nasional, return our
seats!” four times, which was followed by loud cheers from the delegates.
Critics don’t know history
Murugiah later praised PPP president M Kayveas for reminding the public
about the conditions of PPP’s entry into BN.
“Whenever Kayveas speaks up on additional seats for PPP, there are a
lot of allegations and criticism from many quarters.
“Conclusively, these criticism comes from people who don’t know
history - especially how PPP sacrificed itself to strengthen the Alliance
which was facing a considerable challenge from the opposition,” he added.
At a press conference later, Kayveas said he supported Murugiah’s
statements. “We have been left out and forgotten. It is totally unfair
and unjust,” he said.
After missing out on the action during the 1990, 1995 and 1999
general elections due to internal party squabbles, PPP was granted
one parliamentary and one state seats to contest during the 2004 polls.
Since then, the party had been frantically trying to convince its BN
partners to allow it to contest more seats.
Where’s Umno Youth?
Their efforts have been met by brickbats from Gerakan, MIC and more
recently by Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam.
In a related development, Umno Youth top brass were noticeably absent
at the PPP Youth convention.
Traditionally, Umno Youth would assign its top brass to officiate
annual meetings of its BN counterparts.
Quizzed on this, Murugiah said that Umno Youth chief Hishamuddin
Hussien was overseas and could not attend the meeting.
He added that three Umno Youth representatives were present but they
were not acknowledged during speeches.
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