Frequently asked comments, criticism answer sheet on Mahathir, Pakatan Harapan and not voting
A self written “Frequently asked comments, criticism answer sheet (FACCER SHEET) on Mahathir, Pakatan Harapan and not voting
By Hafidz Baharom
“We must forgive Mahathir because only he can save Malaysia”
Answer: He had 22 years in power – he couldn’t have saved it back then? He had more than 1/3 of Umno’s time in power. Why did he not save it back then? In fact, wasn’t Pakatan and their allies saying that Mahathir was the reason for all the wrongs in this country? How is it that this narrative has changed just for their own convenient want for power?
“He doesn’t want anything. He just wants to save the country”
Answer: Really? Answer me this – Tun Mahathir is now 93 years old, with Datuk Seri Wan Azizah as his deputy. If he passes away in office, can Wan Azizah be prime minister without a constitutional crisis? While the Federal Constitution clearly states that there should be no discrimination based on gender, we saw how the Selangor Mentri Besar debacle undid the ability of herself to hold such a post.
Will this happen again, and for how long would the nation be without a Prime Minister? What would that be like, having a government with an interim lame duck cabinet that could take years to clear?
On top of this, who would be her deputy prime minister? Is there a backroom deal to make Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir the DPM?
“We are offering change”
Answer: No, Pakatan really isn’t offering no such thing. Their leadership are the same ones who have been losing general elections since the 1960s until now, with no change in top leadership after continually losing the general election in 2008 and 2013. Instead, Pakatan have been holding on to it like it was good enough to continue with their dinosaur leaders.
The only recent meaningful change in Pakatan of late is this – they have dumped their Islamist allies, for a more meaningful racially segregated Malay only ally to try undo Umno’s vote base.
“Pakatan will control Mahathir”
Answer: Yes, Pakatan with their infighting and backstabbing among themselves will somehow control a former prime minister who dumped three of his deputies, fired chief justices, demolished the old party and banned membership of his detractors, and even censored the media and jailed one deputy for corruption and tainted his reputation with sodomy allegations.
And you think you can control him and his party?
“If not Mahathir, who else?”
Answer: Are you telling us that you had 20 years in Opposition – for DAP even longer – and you never bothered to groom any younger leaders to become Prime Minister? Is this why you couldn’t even form a shadow cabinet?
Fine, take out Tun Mahathir from the equation – who was your Prime Minister candidate after Anwar and Wan Azizah? Let’s give them the post.
Or did you never even bother to think that far after a decade being a credible Opposition coalition?
“Everyone is backing Mahathir”
Answer: No, they’re not. In fact, a list of NGOs and NGIs have voiced their dismay over both Mahathir and Najib.
These even include:
Tenaganita
Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit)
Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy
Mamas Malaysia
Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia
“Oh, those NGOs were bought off by Najib”
Answer: Really, the TEOH BENG HOCK TRUST can be bought out by Najib?!
“Not voting only works in BN’s favour”
Answer: Voting for BN works in BN’s favour. Not voting or spoiling the vote as an act of protest is a given right to each and every individual, even elected members of Parliament. It is a rejection of both sides of the divide for failing to prove their case and cater to your wants and needs. It does nobody any favours.
The onus lies on the political parties and politicians to provide you with a need to vote. If they fail, it is their failure, not ours.
“Non voters are a third block created by Najib” – nonsensical allegation by PAN’s own Head of Communications
Answer: Non voters were not created by Najib. It was created by Pakatan Harapan and its supporters after 10 years drilling into everyone’s heads that Mahathir was a dictator. The current non-voter population are the ones who had backed Pakatan all the way, some even going so far as 1999 during the Reformasi period.
“Non voting youth aren’t politically aware”
This is an insult to the youth. Youths that are now disappointed and promoting non-voting are more aware than most and have been involved in national politics even before they had the right to vote.
“Non voters will live with the consequences of their decision”
Answer: Yes, we will. Everyone does. Even if you vote a dictator back into power or even back someone who has syphoned off billions from the country for his cronies. Both those categories apply to both prime minister candidates.
“People have died for the right to vote”
Answer: People have died for religion more than anything, doesn’t mean everyone has to believe in one. Same goes for voting.
“Enough la with 60 years under the same government”
Answer: Mahathir was prime minister of the government for 22 years, more than one third of their time in power. Why do you want to give it back to him?
“Don’t worry about the non-voters and spoiled voters. They won’t affect anything”
Answer: Spoiled and non-voters have caused parliamentary seats and state seats to be lost from Pakatan Harapan. But hey, if that won’t affect anything, why are these people continuing to mock and ridicule the movement?
And is this supposed to endear fence sitters who have yet to decide to vote? If so, keep at it.
