..of what’s right, and what matters

I’m neither for nor against Karpal Singh, but his remarks have me in a quandary. First and foremost, is it now also a PR culture to wash dirty linen in public? After all, Karpal did hurl accusations against Anwar, potentially accusing him of extending BN’s tactics to Pakatan.

PR, in all it’s glory, is nonetheless a new coalition, whose cohesion is being put to test from all corners. This is unavoidable, given a political landscape tainted with treachery, marred with insolence and canopied in bribery, nepotism and slander. The ‘learned’ Karpal should know best of this. But first, let us reminisce on the lead up to March, 2008.

The decision to converge by PR component party leaders was inevitable and collective. Yes, at that time, the looming election was the agenda of the day, and that had probably delivered the spirit of unity much needed in forging the alliance. No, not much deliberation on details governing the coalition was necessary.  Being precarious, component leaders of PR publicly quashed rumors of emerging cracks in subduing BN fueled anxiety amongst the rakyat. These, in effect, were capable leaders from the opposition, Kit Siang, Hadi, Guan Eng, and Wan Azizah included. At that time, they were with the flow, as the tide seemed to herald an impending political upheaval.

Little did they expect a Tsunami. As the wise Tok Guru from PAS pointed out, the election results were unanticipated, even by party stalwarts within the opposition alliance. Notwithstanding, these leaders were reflexive enough in concurring towards the March polls, while Anwar remained the crux of their struggle. Yes, it was his insight, charisma and command for public attention that spurred the alliance.

Everyone from all walks saw this through without contempt, as the rakyat’s yearn for a change canopied all manners of reasoning.BN was just too arrogant, and the average man in the street would gladly have traded his vote with even a nail on the wall, as long as it bore a Pakatan Rakyat tag alongside. 

Now, we don’t expect to please everyone here. Suffice to say, democracy begins from within a given party, even before its cause is championed with rhetoric during polls. It remains a party member’s right to oppose his/her party’s cause, but such dissidence should be confined within the brims of the party. If a given party’s stalwart commands the respect of his/her party followers, then, it is for him/her to decide on a course of action, albeit democratically.

Perhaps DAP leaders did convene to discuss the party hopping issue. Perhaps they didn’t. I’m not sure. In the case of the later, Karpal should convoke DAP leaders in establishing a stand. The decision of the majority, of course, should reside amongst party members as a collective stance, while leaders out of favor could appeal, failing which they could vacate their party posts in protest.  Idealistic as this may seem, it’s truly the democratic way.

That’s right. It begins in the party. A decision borne out of a democratic process should prevail in a Democratic Party, especially if it’s the “Democratic Action Party”. If anyone is to blame, it should be the Pakatan Leadership (Anwar, Kit Siang, Hadi, Guan Eng), for failing to address teething issues governing steadfast cohesion among party members and a coalition they agreed to form. Remember, these are our ‘learned’ opposition leaders, who stood the test of time in waging war against corruption and alleged malpractices by the government. With distinct ideologies, the marriage was of convenience. If anyone’s to blame, it’s the PR leadership.

No Karpal, not Anwar, but Pakatan and it’s leadership. If anyone’s going public, notwithstanding, then he/she had better get this; party hopping was never an ‘Anwar thing’, but the Pakatan mood come post elections. But seriously, do we want Anwar, Hadi, Kit Siang or Guan Eng thrown out? Heck no, there isn’t a need for it. Perhaps they erred, on some level or perspective, or perhaps they didn’t. At this moment, it does not matter; what matters is that they made collective decisions, on mutual grounds, and they better as hell live up to them!

A struggle is named as such, because it is just that; a struggle. I’d place my dollar at any instance on PR, not so much for my allegiance to their cause, but simply because they present a platform that has addressed sticky issues, striking a chord or two with the rakyat. Let’s just give them a break, shall we? After all, 30 over years of experience, and BN remains plagued with a myriad of issues that may prove too complex to unravel; perhaps the emergence of PR may serve a boon to BN’s cause, in that they would witness the struggles of a young alliance against a modern day canvas, and learn a thing or two on what’s right, and what matters.

Karpal, the learned lawyer, should have had the hindsight. The mammoth task of aligning DAP, PAS and PKR under the Pakatan flagship requires valor, compromise and humility at some levels. Neither Kit Siang, Hadi nor Guan Eng have effectively treaded this path to the end. Anwar did, and so it shall remain as a matter of fact!

Undoubtedly, there shall always be a need for an Anwar, an RPK  and a BN. Hence the checks and balances. And yes, there will always be a need for a Karpal. Each is to his/her role, as is Mahathir. The former has delivered his dissidence out into the open, and we have him to thank for that. The ‘blame it on Anwar’ issue is now in public court, and we’ve a new role for ourselves; to oppose or otherwise. Whatever may be, may be.

– Ragvinder Singh Jessy