Perception versus perception (UPDATED with BM and Chinese Translation)

ARCHIVES 2010

By MT Webmaster On Feb 14, 2010

Let me close by giving you a hint. The ‘secret weapon’ Umno is deploying is called JASA and is headed by Fuad Hassan, IGP Musa Hassan’s brother. Now, can the opposition please do some work for a change and look into this. Surely you do not expect Malaysia Today to do all your work for you?

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

In case many of you do not quite understand what is presently going on in Malaysia, allow me to enlighten you. Malaysia is going through a civil war. Yes, a civil war. But while other countries fight their civil wars with guns, we fight ours in the sphere of perception. But it is still a civil war of sorts, only without blood spilled on the streets.

Say what you like but there is a revolution going on. And the populace are revolting against their government. But the populace have wisely chosen the ballot to the bullet. “Pilihan raya dan bukan pilihan jalan raya,” as Hishamuddin Rais would say — meaning elections to the choice of the streets.

The British, in their wisdom, taught us how to fight this kind of war. Bullets will not defeat the Communists, said our British colonial master. We need to win against the Communists by winning the hearts and minds of the people. We have to make the people reject Communism. And the British succeeded. It was a brilliant strategy. Communism was defeated because the people rejected it, not because the British had more guns than the Communist Terrorists.

And this is the civil war currently being fought in Malaysia, just like the civil war during the Malayan Emergency.

By the way, it was called the Malayan Emergency and not the Malayan Civil War because if they had called it a war instead of an emergency then the insurance companies would not pay for the damages suffered by the British companies. The Communist Terrorists were bombing government installations and British properties. But if these were losses suffered in a war then the insurance would not cover these loses. So they called it an emergency instead.

So Malaysia is actually now on war footing. But there are no guns being fired or properties being bombed. It is a war of perception. It is perception versus perception. And it is a war being fought between the ruling coalition called Barisan Nasional and the opposition coalition called Pakatan Rakyat.

Wars comprise of many battles. It is not just one big battle. Even the invasion of Normandy was many battles being fought all over the place. You may win some battles and you may lose some. But, in the end, the accumulation of the many battles that you win decides on the victor.

In a war of perception you must trigger many issues at the same time. This is like engaging in many battles simultaneously. And you attack each target and continue to attack until your target falls.

Now, let us translate this to what is currently going on.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is of course the first target (like Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Dr Mahathir Mohamad were before him). The perception about Najib is that he is linked to the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, one way or another, directly or indirectly. And that has already been achieved. Very few Malaysians, even those in Umno, would say he is not somehow linked to Altantuya’s murder, or at least had some relationship with her.

Many believe he not only personally knew Altantuya but actually had a sexual relationship with her as well. They also believe that the photograph of Najib, Altantuya and Razak Baginda does exist and that the Honorary Mongolian Consul to Malaysia, Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi, gave the photograph to the police.

We must remember that in the early days of the incident Syed Rahman gave press conferences and whacked the police and accused them of not conducting a proper investigation. Syed Rahman told many people many things about the case, which he probably regrets doing now.

The fact that Syed Rahman has been given a RM500 million project just strengthens the belief that he has been bought off. That is the perception and this perception is not going to change whatever he might do or say.

Razak Baginda’s Statutory Declaration, that was accepted by the court, and which resulted in him being acquitted of murder, clearly says that he never knew Sirul or Azilah until Najib’s ADC, Musa Safri, arranged for them to meet. The court has accepted this statement. And that was why the court acquitted Razak of murder.

So Najib’s ADC, Musa Safri, set the whole thing up and that resulted in Altantuya being murdered.

Then we have Najib’s Special Officer, Nasir Safar, who was there when Sirul and Azilah picked up Altantuya in front of Razak’s house. Private investigator Bala has confirmed this and he told the police about it. But the police immediately brushed it aside and said it was just a resident from around there without further investigating the matter.

So Najib’s Special Officer, Nasir Safar, was also involved. And that makes two very close aides of Najib who are directly linked to the murder.

As far as perception goes, Najib’s has lost the war. Go and do an independent survey if you wish. Just poll Malaysians at random and the majority would tell you that they believe Najib either knew Altantuya, had sex with her, or is directly or indirectly involved in her murder.

In the perception war Najib has been defeated. And there is nothing he can do or say to restore his fallen image.

Okay, next target is Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor. In the sphere of perception, Rosmah is seen a bitch. However, ironically enough, this is her own doing rather than because the opposition attacked her.

There are so many stories floating around about her. One story concerns four retired generals going to her house to meet Najib. She came out and asked them whether they want to meet Najib about politics or business. They asked what difference would it make and she replied that if they want to meet Najib about politics then he will be out in a short while but if it is about business then they are to talk to her and not to Najib.

This story is well known amongst the military personnel.

The next story is about her shopping spree in Paris where she spent RM200,000 in just one day. Now, the icing on the cake is that Altantuya was with her that day and she was helping Rosmah carry all her things including her credit cards and whatnot.

Quite a number of Malaysian Embassy staff members were also there to help Rosmah carry her stuff (RM200,000 in shopping is a lot of stuff) so this story has spread amongst the diplomatic community.

In 2008 she was in Indonesia to attend to bank function. As she strutted to the main table like a queen, walking behind her was her lady-in-waiting holding a cushion. The lady-in-waiting then placed the cushion on the chair before Rosmah sat down. Even the Raja Permaisuri Agong does not get this kind of treatment.

Invariably, since it was a Malaysian bank function, the place was crowded with Malaysians and they all felt like throwing up. They not only felt so embarrassed but nauseous as well.

Then remember her trip to China, which she gave an interview about? In her interview she grumbled that Najib left her all alone in her room while he attended to matters of state. She got so pissed off that she told Najib to send her back to Malaysia. Since he is so busy and has no time for her then send her home.

This was what she admitted in her newspaper interview.

And recently she went to India with Najib. They had planned all sorts of programs for her in Chennai but she stayed in her room and refused to come out. Chennai is so filthy, she said, so she refuses to leave her room. “Why are Indians so dirty?” she exasperatingly told her aides.

This latest foot-in-the-mouth is currently being much talked about amongst diplomatic circles. So, as I said, most damage to Rosmah is being done by her herself. The opposition does not need to raise any issues. She volunteers all the ammunition needed to win the perception war.

As far as Najib and Rosmah are concerned, they have absolutely lost the perception war. Then we come to Umno and Barisan Nasional. The things that Umno and Barisan Nasional have done, and are continuing to do, are hurting them bad. The opposition does not need to be clever in defeating Umno and Barisan Nasional. All the opposition needs to do is to not make any mistakes. Umno and Barisan Nasional are on self-destruct mode and are shooting themselves in their own feet. They can never win the perception war.

What about the perception regarding Anwar Ibrahim and the opposition? Now that is a problem as well. The government is trying to give the perception that Anwar is guilty of sodomy. That has failed miserably. Very few believe Anwar is guilty. In fact, they believe that Anwar is a victim of a frame up. It does not matter what the court says. To most Malaysians Anwar is innocent.

Nevertheless, many believe that Anwar is not a good manager and they blame many of the problems in the opposition, in particular in PKR, on Anwar’s lack of action. They feel that had Anwar been firmer then many problems could have been nipped in the bud. So, in a way, Anwar is the cause of all these problems mainly because he did nothing to prevent them from happening.

As for the rest of the opposition they are divided about what the real problem is. Some accept the fact that the opposition never thought it would do that well on 8 March 2008. So the opposition did not choose its candidates carefully. And now these low quality candidates, in particular those ex-Umno people and candidates who put personal interests above the interests of the voters, have shown their true colours.

The voters understand that it was very difficult for the opposition to attract good candidates, especially when no one thought it would do that well in the elections. So the voters are prepared to give the opposition a second chance. In the next general election, if the opposition fields better candidates, the voters will again vote for the opposition. But this time they will vote against Barisan Nasional not because they hate the ruling party but because they have confidence that the opposition can do better.

This second chance is actually the last chance for the opposition. Either they make it this time around or they will never make it in this generation. If the opposition fails to win the hearts and minds of the people come the next election then it would be lost for good. There is no third chance. We would have to wait 30 years or so for the next generation of voters before the people would dare another experiment in changing the government.

As I said, Umno and Barisan Nasional are contributing to the opposition cause by making so many mistakes. And they are continuing to make these mistakes even as you read this. So the opposition need not try too hard. The opposition is already winning the perception war. All the opposition needs to do is to not also make so many mistakes.

What mistakes are the opposition making and what should they do about it? Well, I have already written about that at length so I do not wish to repeat myself. Anwar knows what they are. All the opposition leaders know what they are. You and I also know what they are. Just stop making these mistakes is all we ask of the opposition. And if you do that then we shall be marching into Putrajaya come the next general election.

Oh, and by the way, do not think that Umno is not doing anything about their defeat in the perception war. They are aware that they have lost the perception war and they are putting into place certain plans to regain lost territory. I know what they are but it is still too early for me to reveal all.

Till we talk again, let’s keep bashing until we see the destruction of Umno and Barisan Nasional.

Translated into Chinese at: http://ccliew.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-post_16.html

Translated into BM by Jason:

Persepsi lawan persepsi

Biar saya beri pembayang. ‘Senjata rahsia’ yang sedang UMNO gunakan adalah JASA yang diketuai oleh Fuad Hassan, iaitu adik KPN Musa Hassan. Saya harap pembangkang meneliti perkara ni. Yalah, takkan semua benda awak nak suruh Malaysia Today buat untuk awak?

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Kalau anda tak begitu faham tentang perkara yang sedang berlaku di Malaysia, izinkan saya menjelaskannya kepada anda. Malaysia kini dilanda perang saudara. Ya, perang saudara. Tapi sementara perang saudara di lain-lain negara membabitkan senjata, perang saudara di sini membabitkan persepsi. Namun ia tetap perang saudara. Bezanya adalah tiada pertumpahan darah di jalanan.

Katakanlah apa yang anda nak kata, tetapi suatu revolusi memang sedang berlaku. Rakyat kini memberontak terhadap kerajaan. Tapi penduduk telah dengan bijak memilih peti undi dan bukannya peluru. “Pilihan raya dan bukan pilihan jalan raya,” seperti kata Hishamuddin Rais.

British mengajar kita cara berjuang dalam perang semacam ni. Peluru takkan mengalahkan komunis, kata penjajah British. Kita perlu mengalahkan komunis dengan memenangi hati dan fikiran rakyat. Kita perlu mendorong rakyat menolak komunisme. Pihak British menjayakannya (strategi ni). Ia adalah strategi yang hebat. Akhirnya, komunisme tewas kerana rakyat menolaknya, dan bukan kerana British memiliki lebih banyak senjata daripada pengganas komunis.

Inilah perang saudara yang sedang berlaku di Malaysia, iaitu sebagaimana perang saudara yang berlaku semasa Darurat (Malayan Emergency).

Oh ya, ia dipanggil Darurat dan bukannya Perang Saudara Malaya kerana jika mereka menggelarkannya dengan nama “perang” (bukan “darurat”), maka syarikat insurans takkan membayar bagi kerugian yang ditanggung oleh syarikat-syarikat British. Pada masa tu, pengganas komunis mengebom pejabat kerajaan dan hartanah British. Tapi jika kerugian tu dialami akibat peperangan, maka syarikat insurans takkan menanggungnya. Itulah sebabnya keadaan gawat itu dipanggil darurat dan bukannya perang.

Jadi, Malaysia kini dalam suasana perang.Tapi tiada senjata digunakan ataupun bangunan dibom. Ia adalah perang persepsi, yakni persepsi lawan persepsi. Pihak yang terlibat dalam peperangan ni adalah parti pemerintah yang dikenali sebagai Barisan Nasional dan parti pembangkang yang dikenali sebagai Pakatan Rakyat.

Perang terdiri daripada banyak pertempuran. Ia tidak hanya melibatkan satu pertempuran besar. Bahkan penaklukan Normandy melibatkan banyak pertempuran yang tercetus di merata tempat. Anda mungkin memenangi beberapa pertempuran dan mungkin kalah dalam beberapa pertempuran yang lain. Tetapi akhir sekali, gabungan pertempuran yang anda menangi menentukan jagoan peperangan itu.

Dalam perang persepsi, anda perlu menimbulkan banyak isu pada masa yang sama. Ia adalah seperti terlibat dalam banyak pertempuran secara serentak, dan anda perlu terus-menerus menyerang setiap sasaran hingga sasaran tu tumbang.

Mari kita kaitkan perkara ni dengan perkembangan semasa.

Sasaran pertama sudah semestinya Perdana Menteri Najib Tun Razak (seperti Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan Dr. Mahathir Mohamad sebelumnya). Persepsi mengenai Najib adalah bahawa dia secara langsung terbabit ataupun mempunyai kaitan dengan pembunuhan Altantuya Shaariibuu. Persepsi ni dah pun wujud. Sangat sedikit rakyat Malaysia, termasuklah ahli UMNO yang akan mengatakan bahawa dia tiada kaitan langsung dengan pembunuhan Altantuya, ataupun setidak-tidaknya pernah menjalin hubungan dengan wanita tu.

Malah ramai yang percaya bahawa dia bukan saja mengenali Altantuya secara peribadi, tetapi juga pernah mengadakan hubungan seksual dengan wanita tu. Mereka juga percaya bahawa gambar Najib, Altantuya dan Razak Baginda memang wujud, dan bahawa Konsul Kehormat Mongolia ke Malaysia, Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi memberikan foto tu kepada polis.

Kita perlu ingat bahawa pada peringkat awal insiden pembunuhan tu, Syed Rahman sering mengadakan sidang akhbar, dan menghentam polis dan menuduh bahawa mereka tidak melakukan siasatan secara yang sepatutnya. Syed Rahman memberitahu mengenai banyak perkara berhubung dengan kes tu kepada ramai orang. Sekarang ni, mesti dia menyesali tindakannya tu.

Hakikat bahawa Syed Rahman telah mendapat projek bernilai RM500 juta menguatkan keyakinan bahawa dia telah dibeli. Inilah persepsinya dan walau apa pun yang dia kata ataupun buat, persepsi ni takkan berubah.

Akuan Bersumpah Razak Baginda yang diterima mahkamah, dan yang membolehkannya dilepaskan dari tuduhan membunuh (Altantuya) menyatakan dengan jelas bahawa dia tak pernah mengenali Sirul ataupun Azilah, sehinggalah ADC Najib, Musa Safri mengatur pertemuan antaranya dan kedua-dua individu tu. Mahkamah menerima akuan tu. Disebabkan itulah maka mahkamah membebaskan Razak dari tuduhan membunuh Altantuya.

Jadi ADC Najib, Musa Safri adalah orang yang menetapkan segala-galanya, yang kemudiannya mengakibatkan Altantuya dibunuh.

Kemudian timbul pula nama Pegawai Khas Najib, Nasir Safar yang berada di tempat kejadian ketika Sirul dan Azilah menangkap Altantuya di depan rumah Razak. Penyiasat persendirian Bala mengesahkan perkara ni dan memberitahu polis tentangnya. Tapi tanpa melakukan siasatan lanjut, polis terus menafikannya dan sebaliknya mengatakan bahawa orang tu (Nasir Safar) adalah penduduk kawasan tersebut.

Jadi, Pegawai Khas Najib, Nasir Safar juga terlibat. Ini bermakna bahawa dua pembantu rapat Najib terlibat secara langsung dengan pembunuhan tu.

Dari segi persepsi, Najib dah pun tewas dalam peperangan. Kalau anda mahu, lakukanlah tinjauan bebas. Tanyalah rakyat Malaysia secara rawak dan majoriti daripada mereka akan memberitahu anda bahawa mereka percaya bahawa Najib sama ada mengenali Altantuya, pernah menidurinya, ataupun terlibat secara langsung ataupun tidak langsung dalam pembunuhannya.

Dalam perang persepsi, Najib telah pun kalah. Tiada apa yang dapat dia kata ataupun buat bagi memulihkan imejnya.

Okey, sasaran berikutnya adalah isteri Najib, Rosmah Mansor. Dalam ruang lingkup persepsi, Rosmah dianggap sebagai perempuan yang menjengkelkan. Namun begitu, ini adalah suatu ironi kerana persepsi tu diakibatkan oleh kelakuannya sendiri dan bukannya berpunca dari serangan pembangkang ke atas imejnya.

Ada begitu banyak cerita yang tersebar mengenainya. Salah satunya adalah mengenai empat jeneral bersara yang pergi ke rumahnya untuk bertemu dengan Najib. Dia bertanya kepada mereka sama ada mereka ingin bertemu dengan Najib bagi membincangkan mengenai politik ataupun perniagaan. Mereka bertanyakan apakah natijahnya dan dia menjawab bahawa jika politik yang akan dibincangkan, maka Najib akan bertemu dengan mereka sebentar lagi. Tapi jika mereka ingin berbincang mengenai perniagaan, maka dialah orangnya dan bukan Najib.

Cerita ni tersebar luas di kalangan warga tentera.

Cerita seterusnya adalah tentang aktiviti beli-belahnya di Paris, di mana dia menghabiskan RM200,000 dalam sehari. Yang ‘menariknya’ adalah Altantuya juga ada bersamanya pada hari itu dan dia membantu mengangkat barang-barang Rosmah, termasuklah kad kredit dan lain-lain lagi.

Pada masa tu, ramai juga kakitangan Kedutaan Malaysia yang membantu mengangkat barang-barang Rosmah (yalah, kalau dah belanja RM200,000, mesti banyak benar barangnya, kan?). Jadi, cerita ni dah tersebar di kalangan komuniti diplomatik.

Pada tahun 2008 pula, dia berada di Indonesia bagi menghadiri majlis yang dianjurkan oleh sebuah bank. Ketika dia melangkah ke meja utama seperti ratu, ‘dayangnya’ berjalan di belakangnya sambil memegang kusyen. Si dayang kemudiannya meletakkan kusyen tu di atas kerusi sebelum Rosmah melabuhkan punggungnya. Ewah, Raja Permaisuri Agong pun tak dapat layanan macam tu.

Oleh sebab majlis tu dianjurkan oleh sebuah bank Malaysia, maka ramailah orang Malaysia di situ. Mereka rasa macam nak muntah. Mereka bukan hanya berasa sangat malu tetapi juga berasa mual bagai nak rak.

Ha, ingat lagi tak temubual yang diberikannya berkenaan pemergiannya ke China? Dalam temubual tu, dia merungut bahawa Najib meninggalkannya sendirian di dalam biliknya, sementara dia (Najib) melakukan tugas rasmi. Dia naik angin hinggakan dia menyuruh Najib menghantarnya pulang ke Malaysia. Ah, kalau kau tu sibuk sangat, hantar saja aku balik ke Malaysia.

Inilah yang dinyatakannya dalam temubual akhbar tu.

Baru-baru ni pula, dia mengikut Najib ke India. Sebenarnya, mereka telah merancang pelbagai program untuknya selama dia di Chennai. Tapi dia enggan keluar dari biliknya. Katanya, kenapalah Chennai kotor sangat. Jadi, dia enggan meninggalkan biliknya. “Kenapalah orang India pengotor betul?” dia mengeluh kepada para pembantunya.

Kisah terbaru ni sedang hangat diperkatakan di kalangan warga diplomatik. Jadi, seperti yang saya katakan, sebahagian besar kerosakan terhadap imej Rosmah berpunca dari kelakuannya sendiri. Pembangkang tak perlu menimbulkan sebarang isu pun kerana dia sendiri membekalkan peluru yang diperlukan bagi pembangkang memenangi perang persepsi.

Maka Najib dan Rosmah sebenarnya dah pun kalah dalam perang persepsi. Sasaran berikutnya adalah UMNO dan Barisan Nasional. Dalam hal ni, persepsi terhadap mereka terjejas teruk akibat perbuatan mereka sendiri. Pembangkang tak perlu strategi yang bijak pun bagi mengalahkan UMNO dan Barisan Nasional. Pembangkang hanya perlu mengelak dari melakukan kesilapan. Sekarang ni pun, UMNO dan Barisan Nasional sedang memusnahkan diri mereka sendiri. Mereka takkan mampu memenangi perang persepsi.

Bagaimana pula dengan persepsi terhadap Anwar Ibrahim dan pembangkang? Sebenarnya, ini juga satu masalah. Kerajaan berusaha mewujudkan persepsi bahawa Anwar bersalah atas jenayah liwat. Usaha mereka tu tak berjaya langsung. Sangat sedikit orang yang mempercayainya. Bahkan mereka percaya bahawa Anwar adalah mangsa konspirasi politik. Tak kisahlah apa yang mahkamah nak kata. Bagi kebanyakan rakyat Malaysia, Anwar tak bersalah.

Namun demikian, ramai yang percaya bahawa Anwar bukan pengurus yang baik. Anwar yang dikatakan kurang bertindak pantas dipersalahkan atas segala rencam masalah yang timbul dalam pembangkang, khususnya PKR. Mereka yakin bahawa jika Anwar lebih tegas, maka banyak masalah dapat diatasi. Jadi, Anwar secara tak langsung adalah punca semua masalah tu lantaran tidak melakukan apa-apa bagi mencegahnya dari berlaku.

Pembangkang pula tidak sependapat tentang masalah sebenar yang mereka hadapi. Ada yang menerima hakikat bahawa pembangkang tak menyangka bahawa mereka akan menang besar pada pilihanraya 8 Mac 2008. Disebabkan itulah pembangkang tidak memilih calon mereka dengan berhati-hati. Kini, calon berkualiti rendah, terutamanya bekas ahli UMNO dan calon yang meletakkan kepentingan peribadi mengatasi kepentingan para pengundi telah menunjukkan belang mereka.

Para pengundi memahami hakikat bahawa adalah sangat sukar bagi pembangkang menarik calon yang baik, terutama sekali apabila tiada seorang pun yang menyangka bahawa mereka akan menang besar dalam pilihanraya. Jadi, para pengundi bersedia memberikan peluang kedua kepada pembangkang. Jika pembangkang meletakkan calon-calon yang lebih baik pada pilihanraya yang seterusnya, maka para pengundi akan sekali lagi mengundi pembangkang. Tapi kali ni, mereka akan mengundi pembangkang bukan kerana mereka membenci parti pemerintah, tetapi kerana mereka yakin bahawa pembangkang boleh memberikan perkhidmatan yang lebih baik kepada rakyat.

Sebenarnya, peluang kedua ni adalah peluang terakhir bagi pembangkang. Kalau mereka gagal sekali lagi, maka mereka takkan lagi berjaya dalam generasi ini. Jika pembangkang gagal memenangi hati dan fikiran rakyat dalam pilihanraya akan datang, maka segala punahlah segala harapan untuk membentuk kerajaan baru. Tiada peluang ketiga buat mereka. Kita terpaksa menunggu 30 tahun ataupun lebih, iaitu generasi yang seterusnya sebelum pengundi sekali lagi berani menukar kerajaan.

Seperti yang telah saya katakan, kesilapan demi kesilapan yang dilakukan UMNO dan Barisan Nasional sebenarnya membantu perjuangan pembangkang, malah mereka terus-menerus melakukan kesilapan. Jadi, pembangkang tak perlu berusaha terlalu keras. Pembangkang sememangnya sedang memenangi perang persepsi. Pembangkang hanya perlu mengelak dari melakukan terlalu banyak kesalahan.

Tapi apakah kesalahan yang dilakukan pembangkang dan apakah yang harus mereka lakukan bagi menanganinya? Mmm… saya dah banyak menulis tentang tu. Jadi, saya tak nak mengulangi benda yang sama. Anwar tahu apa yang saya maksudkan. Semua pemimpin pembangkang tahu apa yang saya maksudkan. Anda dan saya juga tahu mengenainya. Kami hanya meminta pembangkang agar berhenti melakukan kesalahan-kesalahan tu. Kalau itu dapat dilakukan, maka pada pilihanraya akan datang, kita akan sama-sama berarak ke Putrajaya.

Tapi jangan sangka bahawa UMNO tidak melakukan apa-apa bagi menangani kekalahan mereka dalam perang persepsi. Mereka sedar bahawa mereka telah kalah dalam perang persepsi dan mereka kini merangka rancangan tertentu bagi meneruskan kemaraan mereka. Saya tahu apa rancangan mereka, namun masih terlalu awal bagi saya mendedahkan segala-galanya.

Sehingga kita berbual lagi, marilah kita terus menghentam UMNO dan Barisan Nasional ke ambang kehancuran.