Are We Ready For Change? …..Really
Given the current scenario with the coalition-of-willing, this might be a difficult task, let alone the empty talk of taking over the federal government. Read my lips, it is not going to happen. I would prefer they concentrate on defending the seats they have won and if they have spare time, win over other potential seats. Do not use the spare time to turn on each other.
By LH Chew
OK, people, we have read all the rants and exposes in the internet and cyber-space. The drumbeats have been sounded and we have been feasting our eyes on exposure after exposure of every ill-doing of our current government. But seriously, after fifty-three years in power and counting, do you rationally believe they are going to fall? Well, one day, but certainly not in the near future, given the current circumstances.
There are now too much turmoil in the opposition camps. Each is for their own and many opposition members have their own agenda. Each want to outdo the other, resulting in in-fighting amongst them. Each want to prove they are a better member, one who can lead the party to a better tomorrow. And most importantly, opposition parties cannot wait to form the government. Patience is simply not one of the tenets they subscribe to. That is understandable as they want to taste power today, not tomorrow.
Lest you think this situation is unique in Malaysia, no. This is the same disease that befalls every opposition party throughout the world. What makes it even more difficult in Malaysia is we also have to deal with a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious society. It is not homogeneous as much as we like it to be. In other words, we are still not 1Malaysia.
As much as we like to read all the exposures of the ill-doings of the politicians, we also fret when opposition members start airing their dirty laundry in the open. I echo several bloggers’ postings who said, instead of fighting the common enemy the opposition members are directing their entire energy to fight each other. The opposition camps have to learn from the current government and master the skill of ‘agree to disagree’. Fight all you want but keep it within the party walls. Easier said than done. Well, if so, then do not join politics. I thought a person joins politics to serve the people, not oneself. Maybe I am wrong. However, if a member thinks they are better than the person next to them, prove yourself and work towards it.
Change, yes, I agree. But to take over the government of the day now, we need to be practical. I would rather prefer the opposition camps build up their credibility and make their loose coalition-of-willing work and more importantly, be functioning. They need to demonstrate unity among themselves as unity is strength and divided they will fall. For the next general election, we would be content if they can just maintain the number of seats they won in the 2008 election. Given the current scenario with the coalition-of-willing, this might be a difficult task, let alone the empty talk of taking over the federal government. Read my lips, it is not going to happen. I would prefer they concentrate on defending the seats they have won and if they have spare time, win over other potential seats. Do not use the spare time to turn on each other. Then, built up credibility with the people and demonstrate that you are in for fighting social justice, not to enrich yourself monetarily. Are there such politicians in Malaysia? Well, we will find out together.
Till the day the opposition camps can work together, till the day the opposition leaders do not outwear the shoe that fits their size, till the day they support the leaders in their party hierarchy and not jockey for power within party ranks, till the day the leaders learn to compromise amongst themselves and learn to make way, till the day the leaders wise up and not behave childishly, then and only then, a change is in order. Till that day calls, for now I will bring myself down to earth.
