Lessons from Bagan Pinang

By SV Singam

Politics is about robbing Peter to pay Paul. Smart politics is about getting both Peter and Paul to feel good about the deal. That is something the BN had learned to do exquisitely well.

Many analysts have already expressed their views on the causes of the Bagan Pinang debacle. Most of the factors have already been clearly addressed. However, it is my opinion that a few factors have not been articulated sufficiently. These are my 2 sen’s worth …

It was already well known that, during GE12, the non-Muslims (read that as non-Malays) did not vote FOR PAS. They were only voting AGAINST BN. For that matter, many Malays also voted for PAS as a protest against UMNO. No doubt during the Bukit Gantang by-election, many Chinese and Indians voted FOR Nizar Jamaluddin because he truly demonstrated the call of PAS For All. But following the antics of Nasharuddin, Hassan Ali and the PAS Youth, much of the goodwill and confidence of both non-Muslims as well as many Muslims had been lost. The loss of Chinese votes in Bagan Pinang is no surprise.

To make things worse, PAS decided to go it alone, sidelining both PKR and DAP. When I read about the removal by the EC of materials put up by PKR and DAP, I had to laugh. This is not something new and happens at every by-election. What was so difficult about PKR and DAP putting up materials which clearly stated PENYOKONG PAS? But they had to put up stuff under their own logo and banner and get them torn down … because they were, at heart, not really penyokong PAS. Their lack of passion would surely have trickled down to the electorate.

But I suspect the biggest reason for PAS failing to garner Chinese support may have been the Isa factor. Chinese businessmen have benefited previously under Isa. Prominent chinese tycoons were visibly backing Isa and wooing Chinese support. This is no small thing. Racking up Chinese support must have been quite easy. This may have been why RPK’s Chinese underground contacts predicted a BN win.

The Indians are another matter altogether. People can call them by nasty names and belittle them with crude commentary … but their motivations remain simple. They don’t care too much about last year or last month. What happened yesterday or this morning burns stronger. The PR made promises before and after the general elections which they failed to keep – it’s as simple as that. The poor handling of the Kg Buah Pala issue allowed the promises of the PR to be reduced to ashes.

Politics is about robbing Peter to pay Paul. Smart politics is about getting both Peter and Paul to feel good about the deal. That is something the BN had learned to do exquisitely well. No doubt they were aided and abetted by the MSM, but they had worked out a formula that had been quite successful … until their control of the information media was punctured. The PR, promoting information freedom and all, have to work out a better formula. Concealing information is not the way to go.

Oposition leaders can stand in front of their supporters and act the hero, bashing all those opposed to them. But people who would govern need to learn to embrace all citizens, no matter how unreasonable, and deal with their pet peeves in an acceptable manner. Those who would govern cannot allow their egos to get in the way of their being seen to be fair and just. Blaming others will not improve their image. If an apology will help diffuse a situation, then it should be delivered ungrudgingly.

Kugan and Sec 23 Shah Alam are merely more of the same from BN and UMNO. Sarees and murukku packets are simply standard fare from self-serving Indian leaders. The BN remains the known devil. What has the PR to show that they are any different to the simple man in the street? Big words and lofty ideals won’t win their hearts. Does the PR even know how to reach the Indian voters? They’d better learn quickly if they want to take Federal governance. The pivotal role of Indian votes cannot be overstated.

Then we come to the question of Isa’s corruption. The truth is that most Malaysians have come to accept corruption as a part of their lives. They have no qualms about making use of the back door to speed up applications and such. They only complain when the bribe demands become excessive. For instance, motorists are generally quite happy to pay a RM50 bribe to escape the RM150 speeding fine. Therefore, the moral issue of Isa’s guilt is not the real question. The only question the voters will ask is, how will they personally benefit if Isa is elected?

The loss of Bagan Pinang is timely and cannot have come at a better time or in a better place. The BN victory is no surprise so the loss is not that big a deal. The staggering margin must give PAS and PR reason to pause and review where they are heading.

Meanwhile, Isa’s victory further erodes Najib’s mandate and diminishes his claim to leadership. The posters in Bagan Pinang tell clearly that Isa was not endorsed by Najib. The message has gone out that Najib is a lame dog President, that the local UMNO warlords can call the shots. This will further splinter UMNO and weaken its ability to take on future by-elections.

The next General Elections can be PR’s to take … but they had better get their act together first.