Beware the evil plans on polling day

 

(NST) – PROVOCATIVE: Should it lose, the opposition may resort to instigating chaos

ONE should not take lightly the threat by certain members of the opposition that there would be trouble come the general election. Already, circulars have been making their rounds, purportedly asking voters to challenge the authorities.

The media was shown statements said to be from an opposition party asking voters to register their unhappiness with the Election Commission. This is to undermine the EC and later will be used by the opposition to announce that the election is not fair and free.

A silat group with a vast network gave a press conference on Friday to warn the public of this possible menace and danger. The silat group even suggested that the opposition party has sought the help of foreign individuals and experts in teaching locals how to cause trouble during the election.

It won’t be a surprise that the opposition strategists would have a plan to provoke the policemen on duty on election day, not to mention other officers engaged by the EC to manage the election.

It’s not difficult to see their game. Should they lose the election, they would go to town declaring the election was not free and fair, a claim they would broadcast worldwide. Mind you, the EC is still led by the very same people who managed the 2008 general election, which saw the opposition winning in Kelantan, Kedah, Perak, Selangor and Penang.

This recent piece of news comes soon after a self-confessed plot by a lifetime member of Pas that he was out to kill then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Zainon Ismail, a former teacher who goes by the name C.N. Afghani, is no longer a member of Pas and has written a book exposing Pas’ wrong ways in politics.

Looking at C.N. Afghani’s confession, I’m not surprised that certain members of the opposition would resort to reckless and irresponsible ways to face the election. What I’m saying is this: it’s not beyond them to think, plan and execute a devious means to meet their political dreams.

Before openly apologising to Dr Mahathir, C.N. Afghani a.k.a. Zainon Ismail wrote a book — Kafirkah Aku? — that exposed the hypocrisy in Pas.

If people in the opposition then like C.N. Afghani could hatch such an evil plot, thus sending provocative notices and circulars asking voters to openly challenge EC officials on duty on polling day is a no-brainer, actually.

Pak Non, a legacy of excellence

ONE way of measuring a man is through his children,  and that’s where the late Zainon Ahmad a.k.a. Pak Non excelled. And that’s besides the many young reporters whom he had patiently and painstakingly guided.

When I went to his house in Kota Baru for the funeral on Thursday morning, I met Kak Hasnah, Pak Non’s wife, and his children. They were all waiting for Zalinda, Pak Non’s daughter, who is in the United States for a company meeting.

His children did everything to make the funeral arrangements smooth. I learned that the funeral would take place after subuh prayers, that is, just after 6am.

I got hold of a couple of colleagues and we drove all night long. We reached Kota Baru in time for subuh prayers.

The funeral was rescheduled to 10am to enable Zalinda to fly in from the US to pay her last respects to her doting father.

She arrived at 9.30am, in time to kiss the father one last time, as did the rest of the children and grandchildren. He has 14 of them, each of them the apple of his eye.

If Pak Non was still with us today, and if he had remained healthy, he would have taken the first flight to Lahad Datu to be as near as possible to the battle station.

Pak Non, as some of us recalled, did reporting in conflict zones well before others did.

I recall his room on the fourth floor of Balai Berita in Jalan Bangsar. One of the walls was decorated with pictures and newspaper cuttings of some of his travels as a journalist.

He was envied and admired by many.

In the Malaysian newspaper industry, Pak Non had left an indelible mark of his own.

His brand of journalism would remain with many of us — simple and precise, clear and free-flowing, and professional.

May you rest in peace, Pak Non.

Moga-moga rohnya disemadikan bersama para aulia dan solihin. Al-Fatehah.