These parties came to share |
Written by straits-mongrel |
Monday, 02 November 2009 23:04 |
When you want to fix a problem, it's best to take the bull by its horns. Except sometimes the bull doesn't show.
The Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia core group held a dialogue session with political parties on Saturday. Altogether, 22 parties throughout the country were invited including all from the Barisan Nasional coalition and Pakatan Rakyat. Invitations were sent beginning October by courier, fax and email.
On Saturday, three showed up - PSM, PAS and the Human Rights Party (HRP). Through this closed-door session at the Rumah ABM, we wanted to share our position on the state of the nation and its people. We also wanted to hear their thoughts on the SABM initiative, and to explore ways of working together to achieve common goals. (You can read the SABM Charter here.) We thought it was important to bridge with those whose platform is public office. Five parties agreed to attend the session: DAP, PAS, PKR, PSM and the as-yet registered Human Rights Party (HRP). The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) sent its regrets for being unable to attend because of the distance.
None of the BN parties responded; after all, why attend to minnows when 1Malaysia is already deemed to serve as the complete package? Whatever. On that day itself, the representative from DAP Anthony Loke sms'ed early in the morning to say that he had to deal with flood issues in Seremban. There was no response from PKR despite attempts to reach its representatives. Minnows again? Who really knows.
The session would take place, with or without the bigwigs.
After presentations by core group members Nanda and Haris, discussion was open to the floor. HRP Central Committee member, Jeevindra Kumar (above) iterated that "real world" issues have to be factored into the picture - citizens without basic water supply, funding of vernacular schools on non-government land, and true-blue Malaysians without ICs. Only then can we say the people's welfare is attended.
PSM's V Selvam added that in spirit the Charter aligns well with Parti Sosialis' goals. The party's secretary-general Arutchelvam, who dropped in during the later half of the dialogue, hoped to see some common action taking place after the talk.
Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, PAS Research and Development director and MP for Kuala Selangor, was also keen on seeing future interaction "if it brings overall good to the country".
"I'll see what I can do to get our members to attend your Roadshow in Penang," he added.
Now that's a start, YB bro.
All three political parties have agreed to discuss this within their respective central committess before getting back to us on key decisions. We at SABM are looking forward to a constructive future with them.
See, minnows are not known for their size. They are known for their numbers. Websites: |
Last Updated on Thursday, 05 November 2009 04:20 |