A casual conversation during tea-time of how Goods Service Tax (GST) would affect Malaysians turned political when a friend thrown some blunt and challenging questions.
1- WHY AM I SEEN EAGER & EXCITED FOR A CHANGE OF GOVT? (via ballot box, of course).
2- WHAT IS THE GUARANTEE THAT ALTERNATIVE GOVT (Pakatan Rakyat/PR) WOULD NOT BE OF ANY WORSE THAN BARISAN NASIONAL (BN)?
3- WHY SHOOT A WINNING HORSE?
In view of the constraint in time, my answers to him were less than thorough, but I promised to continue in my next blog-post. Like it or not, I have to keep up to my own words.
The fact that he knew well of my political partisanship, my instinct tells me that he is more than keen to hear my answer on question 2 and I could sensed that he would use the fact that many PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) leaders including it's de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim were former Umno and the probability or likelihood of them in no time sway to the tempo and rhythm of Umno/BN style & cultures, given the power to rule.
Though it's not mentioned, I'm still more than obliged to indicate my personal views and stance on the issue.
Answer to Question No.1.
With great deal of positivity and enthusiasm, I look forward for a change of govt via the ballot box as I opine the country deserves a good govt. A govt that could meet it's legitimate objectives, a govt which puts the interest of the people and nation above all. A govt that could lift Malaysia to the next level and/or steer to greater heights at par if not more from our closest neighbor Singapore, the least to say.
A govt which is capable to lead and be willing & prepared to be led, a listening & understanding govt, a govt that secures the right of the people and that rewards their labour and promotes their happiness at the same time does their will.
A govt that provides it's people the leaders and politicians they deserve, a govt which observes the essentials of a good governance such as Transparent, Responsible & Accountable, Participation & Responsiveness, Census Oriented, Effective & Efficient, Equitable & Inclusive and undoubtedly, a govt that follows the rule of law.
Also, a govt which minimise and/or seriously fight corruption - not that fights monsters and in process becoming monster, respect human/ethnic/minority religions right, a govt which would not succumb to power abuse such as usage of draconian laws to oppress & suppress, selective prosecutions, a govt which ensures independence of the judiciary, which don't practice cronyism & nepotism.
A govt that takes into account the views of the minority while voice of the majority are heard in their decision making.
BN has ruled and still ruling Malaysia for 56 years since achieving independence from the British. Their track records were not only well written in their respective report cards but more importantly embedded in the minds of most Malaysians.
While their achievements were accordingly recognised and complimented, their 'failures' are becoming major concern to the people.
Believe it or not, all the above-mentioned are less than inclusive and conclusive as many other issues such as press freedom and freedom of speech need to be given due attention.
Even if only the above is scrutinized one by one, people would not find any difficulty to pinpoint weaknesses, disablement and even where the govt of the day has erred.
56 years have gone, so much time have lost beyond redemption thus, now it's not the time to begin the process of identifying & rectifying whatever have gone wrong as it should have been progressively addressed a long time ago.
As a matter of fact, now should be the time to engage a top-speed gear towards achieving or making Malaysia a developed nation.
Post GE13, many expected members of the new govt cabinet would comprise leaders of high caliber, clean (at least seen clean), learned, talented, young & energetic, but to our dismay, several are recycled, tainted (guilty of offense(s) inclusive at party level) and expired (exceeding retiring age).
At the same time, at govt agencies, semi-govt bodies, public service and govt-linked companies level, several under such category were still retained and/or reappointed to key positions.
Many are frustrated and disappointed when the much talked about 'transformation' leaders which were 'sung' by BN leaders 'with loud crashing cymbals' prior to GE13 turned out to be less impressive.
Some with the characteristics of an opportunist while some have passed their era and seen as merely overstaying their welcome.
I have mentioned before that leaders always make the difference and 'bad' leaders would slowly but surely 'harm' the entire ministry, agency or department they headed. Just like the popular saying that goes, "fish rots from the head."
Talking about leadership- I am overwhelmed, despite all the threats, prosecution and bullying, leadership of Malaysiakini have successfully lifted the online news portal to the next level by moving to their own home without seeking help from the govt or govt-linked companies.
A big blow to leaderships of Umno-owned Utusan. It is even sweeter when they (Malaysiakini) won in courts, their bid for a print license.
Malaysians certainly do not need political leaders that trump up racism to deviate people's attention from their immoral acts such as corruption. If the nation is 'filled' with leaders of this nature, the issue of racism
would never be decimated.
I wish to also highlight here a purest example of what I classified as unrealistic appointment. A leader who was not only rejected by voters in his constituency in GE 13 but more surprisingly "dumped' by party delegates in recent party polls was appointed a senator and other position of the govt agency.
Such appointment envelopes the non-sensitivity of the top leadership towards expectation and aspiration of majority people at large.
I am not too sure either, if that (the appointment) is PM Najib's gesture of gratitude for the leader's 'life-long' dedication to party and govt, but such decision deprives others esp newcomers the opportunity to contribute other than being prepared and groomed future leaders.
With corruption level for instance not showing signs of declining and with repeated controversies, scandals and serious allegations, it's only logical of me to opine that the country deserves a better and stronger govt, for a better future.
Answer to Question No.2.
The most challenging question indeed as it involves GUARANTEE.
Actually speaking, I could conveniently retaliate by asking - What is the guarantee BN would not become even more worse than they already are? Never mind,I would not want to deviate from the original
question.
Who can deny the fact that in life, Nothing is a GUARANTEE?
We have seen in politics, how friends become foes and foes become friends. In business, we have heard riches to rags, rags to riches.
In Malaysian context, let me point out that even support and voting pattern are no guarantee. Take support of the Chinese towards both, ruling party and the opposition for example. In 1969, majority of the Chinese votes favoured the opposition and since then, Chinese vote keep switching between opposition and the ruling party.
Starting 1995 GE, their support favoured BN and it continued to 1999 and 2004 GE. I choose not to disclose here the reasons behind it as the Chinese are fully aware about power of vote. Come 2008GE, the support shifted to PR and continued until the recent GE 13. Again, I prefer not to indicate reasons behind it.
Unlike the Chinese, most Malays have all along been supporting Umno/BN except in 1999 when many deserted Umno following the Anwar saga.
Majority of them (the Malays) supported Umno/Bn for the sake of supporting - without much thought.
Though the mind set of most Malays are predictably difficult to change, the opposition (PR) has been consistently and continuously investing all the necessary time and effort which could lead the Malays esp the new voters to take actions necessary to foster momentum and a critical mass of commitment throughout the nation.
Under such given circumstances, what is the guarantee the 'loyal' Malays would not shift their support to PR in GE14? Thus, the question of Guarantee is too subjective to mention.
In the event PR secured in forming a new govt, my confidence is just as high as voters and people of Kelantan, Penang and Selangor.
If PR is indeed not a good govt with good governance in the above-said states, voters would not returned them with astounding two-third majority.
Kedah, a formerly PR state ruled govt was lost to BN in GE13 and one of the factors PR lost the state is due to some weaknesses in it's leadership. However, the victory in the other three states samples voters' endorsement and acceptance of PR prudence govt.
Worse than BN?
Let me summarise this way - PR hasn't got the chance to rule at the federal level. Who can tell? Until and unless they are given the chance to prove themselves, it is utterly unfair to conveniently and blatantly belittle them.
I recalled just prior to GE 13, a friend obviously inclined to Umno said, "It's better to live with the present devil than an unknown angel." Saying it like a clown, he made me smile :-)
Now, look at the phrase again, isn't a devil always a devil? Isn't there a reason to look for an angel? What can be the worse? Another devil?.
After-all, general election comes in every five years or even shorter. Voters would not find any difficulty to judge the new govt. Voters in Kedah have shown it when PR lost the state though marginally.
PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) leaders were former Umno?
Absolutely true. (So am I. LOL)
Before GE13 esp, many from Umno/BN camps used this to intimidate and demoralised PR's members and supporters esp from DAP and PAS and also voters. Nothing new, stale issue.
In BN coalition, Umno is the single largest party and the biggest winner in GE13 and unlike BN, PR is more balanced, with PKR obtaining 30 parliamentary seats, DAP 38 and PAS 21 making a total of 89/222 seats under PR's coalition.
Meanwhile, out of 133/222 parliamentary seats secured by BN, Umno alone obtained 88 seats, MCA (BN's 2nd largest component party) 7 and MIC 4 with remaining 34 from Sabah and Sarawak. Anyone would understand if MCA and MIC is sidelined by Umno, but in the case of PR, with such composition, it is unlikely PKR's partners (DAP & PAS) would mute in the event PKR leader(s) attempting to adopt Umno?BN style of rule or cultures in their administration.
Answer to Question No.3
Morally speaking, this question need not be asked.
Now, with PR securing 50.87% in popular vote to BN 47.38% in GE13, is the horse really winning, morally?
PR obtained 420, 860 more votes than BN, and that's 3.8% over BN. Remember George Bush Jr Vs Al Gore?. The difference in favour of the former is only 0.5% of popular vote thus, PR is 8 times bigger compared to Bush. Despite PR's 50.39% (simple majority), only about 40% of parliamentary seats were in their favour while BN with 46.57% (less than simple majority) took up to about 60% in parliamentary seats.
Imagine, loosing the popular vote by 3.8%, BN still won parliament by 20%.
Thus, if it is not for Malaysia's current apportionment of electoral districts that benefits the ruling party, where would BN stand in GE13?.
The first past post electoral system which no longer feasible, esp so should it be abused in delineation of constituencies.
It is really unfortunate that Malaysia inherited that, and if popular vote - which is the finest form of democracy that follows the formula of One Man/Woman One Vote- is used, BN is NOT the winning horse.
Another thing that cannot be taken lightly or ignored is the allegation of vote buying, issues of dubious votes, vote rigging, frauds such as magic votes that appeared out of nowhere to reinforce area where BN lost, the EC under BN's control delaying announcement of winners and waited for reinforcement votes to come in, the power failure and when resumed, more votes that are not counted and more.
Despite all allegations - PR won the popular vote.
Thus, to ask why shoot the winning horse is simply not appropriate, morally the least to say.
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