MERDEKA FOCUS: As Malaysia celebrates her 57th year of independence from
British rule this year, remnants of the past are still apparent in the country's
administration, starting with the Westminster system of Parliament.
British rule this year, remnants of the past are still apparent in the country's
administration, starting with the Westminster system of Parliament.
In Parliament, most major decisions are determined by the Chief Whip (from
Barisan Nasional) and votes will be cast along partisan lines, effectively silencing
any dissenting "independent" views.
Barisan Nasional) and votes will be cast along partisan lines, effectively silencing
any dissenting "independent" views.
The nature of politics in Malaysia is also such that it is often very difficult, if not i
mpossible, for leaders from opposing factions to be seen to be in agreement with
each other.
mpossible, for leaders from opposing factions to be seen to be in agreement with
each other.
This, however, has not stopped Global Movement of Moderates CEO Datuk
Saifuddin Abdullah (a former Umno MP and deputy minister) and PAS’ Parit
Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa from forming a friendship that led to their
collaboration under various cross-partisan platforms.
Saifuddin Abdullah (a former Umno MP and deputy minister) and PAS’ Parit
Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa from forming a friendship that led to their
collaboration under various cross-partisan platforms.
In an interview with theantdaily, Saifuddin said he first met Mujahid in 2008
when both of them were first-term Parliamentarians.
when both of them were first-term Parliamentarians.
"We never knew each other until we met in Parliament ... When we first met we
just said 'salam, apa khabar' and that's it, until I published my book (in January
2009) on new politics," he recalled, adding that his book was titled "New Politics:
Maturing Democracy in Malaysia".
just said 'salam, apa khabar' and that's it, until I published my book (in January
2009) on new politics," he recalled, adding that his book was titled "New Politics:
Maturing Democracy in Malaysia".
"He (Mujahid) read my book, he commented on it (and) then (in May 2009) he
published his own book, also about new politics titled 'The New Face of Malaysian
Politics'," said Saifuddin.
published his own book, also about new politics titled 'The New Face of Malaysian
Politics'," said Saifuddin.
Saifuddin noted that both of them had been writing about new politics since even
before they became MPs, through his column in Berita Harian and Mujahid on his
blog, but only realising their mutual interests after having read each other's book.
before they became MPs, through his column in Berita Harian and Mujahid on his
blog, but only realising their mutual interests after having read each other's book.
"I rearranged my column to become a book and he rearranged his blog posts to
become a book," he added.
become a book," he added.
Despite being a deputy minister at the time, Saifuddin is known to speak against
his own party's line, a trait which gained him popularity among middle-ground
Malaysians but cost him his political career -- having lost his Temerloh seat
during the 13th general election and also his position in Umno's Supreme Council.
his own party's line, a trait which gained him popularity among middle-ground
Malaysians but cost him his political career -- having lost his Temerloh seat
during the 13th general election and also his position in Umno's Supreme Council.
"He (Mujahid) was not quoted so much at that time in the mainstream media
but sometimes I saw (his statements) on online media and I thought, 'Eh! We
seem to be talking about the same things'," said Saifuddin, who cited as an
example, Mujahid's support for his proposal to amend Section
15 of the University and University Colleges Act 1971.
but sometimes I saw (his statements) on online media and I thought, 'Eh! We
seem to be talking about the same things'," said Saifuddin, who cited as an
example, Mujahid's support for his proposal to amend Section
15 of the University and University Colleges Act 1971.
While Saifuddin is now no longer in Parliament, he said he continues to engage
with Mujahid on Twitter (among other platforms): "Even before GE13 we were
already tweeting. He retweeted (RT) me, I retweeted him, he favourited my
tweets."
with Mujahid on Twitter (among other platforms): "Even before GE13 we were
already tweeting. He retweeted (RT) me, I retweeted him, he favourited my
tweets."
It was also through Twitter that the duo crossed path with Anas Zubedy
(businessman, author and founder of 'Zubedy') who proposed that they
co-author a book on new politics.
(businessman, author and founder of 'Zubedy') who proposed that they
co-author a book on new politics.
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