The situation is favourable to BN?
Before facing the second sodomy allegation, Anwar had enough of time to do something to the party’s discipline and organisation. He has no talent in leading. He allowed one after another political rebel to succeed and he said that actions would be taken on them, but nothing have been done so far.
By LIM SUE GOAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily
History is irony. After the 2008 general elections, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had kept mentioning about the 916 regime change and today, it is said that PKR elected representatives are going to switch party, allowing BN to regain its two-thirds majority.
There are a variety of factors that causes the current difficulties of PKR and Pakatan Rakyat. But the main two factors are, management failure and media hype.
Anwar has been over believing in his personal charisma. He is laisser-faire and always sweep problems under the carpet. Such a poor leadership style has eventually caused him, PKR and Pakatan Rakyat a price to pay.
Before facing the second sodomy allegation, Anwar had enough of time to do something to the party’s discipline and organisation. He has no talent in leading. He allowed one after another political rebel to succeed and he said that actions would be taken on them, but nothing have been done so far.
There must be a reason for Anwar to not taking actions on trouble makers in the party. And now, he has to be in court everyday, how would he still have time to curb discipline problems? He can only leave it.
The second factor is, Pakatan Rakyat is facing an overwhelming pressure of public opinion. After political rebels have attacked Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Pakatan Rakyat leaders, the mainstream media have taken the opportunity to extensively cover the news and even a little man who quitted party had become a cover page story.
Over 100 demonstrators burned Lim’s effigy at Komtar to protest against the demolition of illegal hawker stalls on 5 Feb. It has become an issue used by BN leaders to attack the Penang government.
It seems to be a crisis for Pakatan Rakyat, PKR and Anwar. Even if there is a by-election for Perak, will BN win for sure? Malaysia Today news editor Raja Petra Kamarudin predicted that eight MPs will hop to BN, together with the support of Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali, there is an opportunity for BN to regain the two-thirds majority (148 seats). By then, BN may redraw constituency according to its political needs.
The political situation seems to be very favourable to BN, but it is not necessarily so. Take the 8 March general elections as an example, Pakatan Rakyat was not yet been formed at that time and there were still a lot of contradictions between DAP and PAS. But voters voted based on their sentiments. Hunger breeds discontent and the public will be lack of confidence as long as the economy is not yet recovered.
There must be investments in order to revive economy. Too many of political games and racial issues will cause them to lose the people’s confidence and capital even faster. It will also be impossible to revive economy.
In addition, in order to build credibility, BN must curb corruption, improve public delivery system efficiency and reduce crimes.
Secondly, excessive political battles may bring negative effects, including the people’s sympathy for Pakatan Rakyat may lead to a rebound when the space is overly compressed, just like the tight control on campus elections has caused some university students to demonstrate and protest.
Instead of playing up issues involving Pakatan Rakyat leaders and state governments, it would be better to focus on revitalising economy and improving executive ability. Voters will sure support them when everyone is happy, isn’t it? BN leaders must get a clear understanding of the fact.
There must be a foresighted thinking in order to have new prospects for politics. How are they going to transform as they keep fighting with each other within a small frame?
