Commentary
A RISE in the number of a certain type of commentaries at Malaysiakini is revealing into, not the state of the National Front government, but the state of the opposition - the alliance of socialist DAP, Justice PKR and Islamic PAS - that have been given a chance to rule. They have five states, three heavily populated ones and these are the centres of industries. They want more, and they want it all right away - the federal government. They don’t see the opportunity to govern these states as a sort of a probation, like a trial run, which should be natural considering that they (Anwar Ibrahim excepting) have never before managed a country.
Hence the preoccupation in politics since securing these states have been to bellyache, to give speeches and to stage rallies. All politics and issues of governance are centred on the parties, rather than on the state governments and on generating good ideas to run the administration and to relieve the pain of living the life as Malaysian. Quiet administration, diligent work, innovative methods are all boring stuff and they take time. But the time and the opportunities given these parties hankering after “change”, how do they use them? Read the blogs of the DAP and PKR people; the answers are all there.
And this continuing waste of energy, intellect, effort and resources is summed up and captured in the Malaysiakini commentaries and letters. These say something nearly pitiful, and they are reproduced here for the future. At the sites of the DAP and PKR people and their sloganeers, their mouthpieces and their drum beaters, you will never find these letters.
Who then are those in the DAP with more spittle than tea (Cantonese proverb)? Oh, the list is long, very long and it starts from Lim Kit Siang, extending to their supposedly intellectual muscles like Tony Pua, Jeff Ooi, their lawyers and so on. A man makes his own enemies, and in opposition politics the task was easy to go after the enemy. Good governance is a different thing. For proof, sample the headline items in the DAP home page (中文).
The PKR? Its ineptitude covers the whole gang, but start with Anwar Ibrahim and Tian Chua, their chief propagandist - they live quarrelsome lives in perpetual fighting, not governance. At the PKR site, same thing.
Yes, the ruling federal government is in “denial syndrome” (opposition words), but they themselves are worse than being in denial: they just don’t get it. Maybe the letters below will help.
Letter from Malaysian:
Friends and relatives of mine who voted for the opposition have openly voiced among us their error, and that they wanted to just have more opposition in Parliament. Consider it as an exercise gone wrong, and the next election, it may be the other way round - everyone voting for the ruling party to avoid being one of those who contributed to this error.
So far this error was a good thing, but the opposition has shown that even in government they have an ‘opposition mentality’. Street demos, rallies and so on. Comments by none other than the ‘Demo and Rally King’ Azmin Ali.
What do they do when they rule the state? Organise rallies and 15 to 20 thousand people is a big deal of a turnout. We millions stay at home. Count that, it is an even bigger a number. …
Things were good before this error happened , and nobody knows better than that one opposition leader who now runs a state who said, ‘We never expected this, we only expected to have more reps in the state assembly’.
Crucify me or agree with me but we have to go on with life and when a better life is promised, than we should work towards that. As each election comes and goes extend your gains.
Having crossovers to get to run the federal government is only allowing more Ezams to run our country. Does that sound good to all of you who condemn the government?
Again, below, in Malaysiakini where, one suspect, its people believe or want to believe that the voices represented herein are in favour of the opposition rather than the opposite …. Hence, the dubious headline, Politicians greedy for power.
From Shafiq Alhabshi:
Where are we heading with all these bickering? By next week it will be four months since the legislators have assumed office and yet the political scene is far from stable.
Whilst we are facing a myriad of economic and financial issues, which remains unrequited, we are also faced with numerous issues and problems which could arguably cause a snowball crisis effect.
The dramas which unfold almost on a daily basis are of no help in the likelihood of a crisis. No doubt when it started, we were pleased because it appeared to keep the ruling party on their toes. …
We, the citizens/netizens had elected our representative to air our grievances, issues, concerns and problems for them solve - not to be our ‘entertainers’ with all these antics.
In conclusion, should I be accorded with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet leaders of both BN and PR, I would like to hand them each with a huge banner reading ‘Buat Kerja’.
From JD Lovrenciear:
The report after report and the retractions, denials, and sordid allegations is tearing this nation apart.
For the love of this nation, its crown and the citizens, can someone please stop all this and help us get on with nation-building seriously?
It is crystal clear that someone has got to tell this - do something. Lead, follow or get out of the way.
From Jude Manickam:
I think we are on the threshold of a new Malaysia. Whether for good or worse is another matter. The soap operas have got to stop.
And ultimately, the power bestowed upon the PM is there to be used for the good of all, not a selected few.
In this context, Pak Lah must take charge and do the right thing for the nation - not for Najib, Umno or the man who lives down the road.
For heaven’s sake man, take charge!
