I do not represent the party. I neither hold any position in the party nor am I
of any "authority". My views are my views. My only "official" function is as
Director of the Free Anwar Campaign, which is NOT a party thing and is detached
from the party. In fact, at times, some of my postings in the FAC website are
not at all complimentary to the party.

I, as well as many others in the party, may not agree entirely with what the
party does. Sometimes we go along with the decision in the spirit of party
solidarity. At times, we speak out against what the party does.

If we have to be yes-men just to "protect party image", then we would rather
choose not being in the party and be free to speak. If most people and the party
leadership feel that our actions are not in the party's interest, then we will
be glad to move on.

I was what I am long before the party was formed. We developed our views even at
the time Anwar Ibrahim was in the government, long before he was kicked out and
formed Reformasi. Read my articles in the Harakah prior to September 1998.

I am not about to mellow just because I am now a member of a political
organisation. If I do, then I would be just like those Umno members. ISA
detention could not soften me, just like it did not soften Hishamuddin Rais who
is anti-party and, at his first public appearance after his release from ISA
detention, he slammed all the opposition parties.

You don't like what I have to say, then hit the delete button. You do not have
to read my postings. But tell me, is there anything I said about Umno's Ketuanan
Melayu "struggle" and that MCA cannot do anything about it that is not right?

Let me tell you a secret. The Keadilan-PRM merger just about scrapped through. A
couple of votes less and the merger might not have happened. More than 100 MALAY
delegates walked out off the assembly in protest to the merger. This was, in
fact, reported in all the newspapers as the media was there that day.

The merger was "completed" yesterday (still waiting for ROS approval). But the
marriage is not in honeymoon status. It is on "probation" status. It can still
succeed if the non-Malays play their role. If not, then there is a real danger
Parti Keadilan Rakyat may one day be reduced to just another Malay party.

To quote MGG Pillai, Keadilan is a Malay-based multi-racial party. With
yesterday's merger, that can now change. It can now become a truly non-racial
party. But if only the Malays fight for change, and if this change is for the
benefit of the non-Malays, the Malays in Keadilan may start having second
thoughts.

I would personally like to see the birth of the first non-racial party in
Malaysia. But this will not happen by itself. We will have to work hard towards
achieving this. The next election will be the test for Keadilan. If the
non-Malays do not support it, if Keadilan has to depend on only the Malay
voters, then this non-racial entity will collapse, and with it the hopes of
achieving a Malaysian race and equality for all races.

As a Malay I lose nothing. Of course all our other objectives will not be met as
well and that would be sad. But what the heck. You can lead a horse to water,
you cannot force it to drink. If it chooses to go thirsty, then so be it.
----- Original Message -----
From: pelanuk@...
To: artisproactiv@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, August 04, 2003 00:17
Subject: Re: [artisproactiv] Dear all


Dear RPK,

Really, do you have to compound one faux pas with another?

I humbly suggest that it's best if to engage in some quiet
reflection, and some strategising and, above all, organisation
especially at the grass roots.

Else, may I suggest that you preface all further postings of this
nature with a disclaimer: That it represents your personal views?

You aren't doing PKR any favours with these not-so-smart bombs.


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