Between the Axes

Between the devil and the deep blue sea. Depending who you are, the devil and the deep blue sea could be either of the axes that want to lay claim to prime ministership and majority in parliament and thus rule Malaysia.

Yes. The Axis of the Decrepit and Decayed against the Axis of the Disparate and Desperate. Which be the devil and which be the deep blue sea?

Well, at least some of the parties/axes have released their manifestos, the ruling BN, the DAP, PAS, some bloggers called the Barisan Rakyat while Keadilan Rakyat will do so on February 26, 2008.

A cursory look at both the BN and DAP manifestos reveal that some 43.5 billion ringgit have been spent in 2007 in subsidies while the DAP is promising some 40 billion ringgit to be credited directly to those earning 3,000 ringgit a month or families earning 6,000 ringgit a month.

Subsidies. While the BN's model benefits all - rich or poor, the DAP's proposals will only benefit those who earn within the parameters mentioned. Funny, those who pay taxes under the DAP proposal will still have to pay and pay with no benefit. Quite true to their socialist roots, innit?

Nope, none of the axes are talking about taxes.

Well, for benefit of the good people - who have elected the entire slate of Siber Party of Malaysia (M) candidates (Did you see, hear or read anyone contesting in the five seats we are in?) - and those who will on March 8, 2008 - let us give you a glimpse of our manifesto.

You know what we can do! And you know our feelings and philosophies. No race-based or faith-based policies but an inclusive policy for all Malaysians, even those with faith or the faithless.

We will care for all.

More than that, in response to Hafiz Noor Shams - our favourite mad druid - we would like to point out something quite fundamental about the Siber Party of Malaysia (M).

We are not bloggers! Yes! Shocking but true. We are not bloggers!

While we read blogs and we do operate a blog, it is only our platform and website to inform the good citizens of Malaysia about our views and policies on matters that concern all Malaysians.

Which also means we are not going to support a blogger because he or she is a blogger. we want to know their stand, their approach, their policies, philosophies, politics on all things Malaysian and the world.

It is not good enough to be a blogger to get support. For that matter, it is not good enough to stand for elections and expect or cajole or persuade or threaten to get support.

Tell us what you can and will do. Promises are double-edged swords that can be used for good or evil.

Heroes and Zeroes

What can we say? We have been away for a while now, plotting our election campaign since we got wind of the 11th Parliament's dissolution from YB Maya Minah Black a while ago.

The Siber Party of Malaysia (M) will fully participate in the 12th General Elections without any pacts with other parties be it the Barisan Nasional or those who want one-on-one contests. Politics is for the people and the more the merrier, we say!

Therefore, the rest of us in the party are joining YB Maya Minah Black - hmmm, she isn't a YB anymore now that the Dewan Rakyat is dissolved but what the hell... - to contest in the coming vote.

How to vote for us? Simple. Every time a voter crosses a box, that is a vote for us. After all, our symbol is the X but we cannot display it now as it is against Malaysian election rules. But it will be done after nomination day this Sunday.

Minah Black is set to stand in her old constituency of P. 000 - Tempat Maya. The rest of us will contest in the following constituencies: Mydeen Aboo Backer (P. 786 - Mamak Maju), Dek Mat (P. 666 - Kencing Setan), Tatak Sombong (P. 888 - Sungai Wang) and Mat Merah (P. 404 - File Not Found).

As you can see, we foresee a lack of contests for the seats that we have chosen to make our stand.

But of course, zeroes can be heroes and over the course of the next few days, the Siber Party of Malaysia (M) will unveil its manifesto and economic plans to make Malaysia a virtual paradise.

The rest can just fight among each other and produce videos for all we care.