This
is my analysis as an ordinary Malaysian citizen with no political party
affiliation of the latest PRU-14 election results in Malaysia
Reasons for the fall of BN
I
agree with Khairy Jamaluddin’s analysis for the fall of BN. However where we
differ is that we all saw it before the election but BN members only realized
after the election.
The
reasons are:
1.
BN members were delusional, living not in the same reality as ordinary
Malaysians.
2.
Refuse to listen to the citizens and voices of dissidents were ignored, and
worse silenced altogether, creating an environment of fear to even say a word
against the government.
3.
Took the people’s intelligence for granted and think they can get away with
anything and people will still support.
4.
Things took a definite turn when the previous PM fired his deputy PM. People
saw Tan Sri Muhyiddin’s attempt to question and to address the issue of 1MDB as
a voice representing the people. Many of the citizens felt similar to Tan Sri Muhyiddin
and would like some answers. The previous government interference in Kedah and
removal of chief Minister of Kedah, Dato’ Mukhriz was another bad move for the
previous government as people felt it was unjust and politically motivated.
5.
The economy: The people felt the injustice and was in a way perplexed by the
previous government’s claims that the economy was doing great when government
agencies were directly affected by the stunting of the economic. For example,
doctors had to stop prescribing certain medications, some of our students were
no longer offered scholarships. At one point, even the issue of specialist
allowance were threatened. These were things faced directly by the people and
nothing to do with media or opposition smear campaigns. The people on the
ground wanted the truth, real answers. We simply wanted to know if there was an
economic problem and not to portray that the country’s economy is doing great
but at the same time funding for government agencies were being cut. If so,
where were all the money going?
6.
In 2016, a man known as Mohd Sukri Saad, 38 years old left a suicide note on FB
claiming that he chose to end his life because he was due to face jail time for
selling contraband cigarettes. For some, he was likened to the Tunisian
self-immolation trader, tariq Mohamed Bouazizi. Although I doubt this tragedy
was a triggering factor but it did heightened the sentiments of the people who
felt the injustice of the system. Most people by this time have heard about the
1MDB scandal and believed even if, the PM at the time was not directly involved (yet to be
proven and investigation is currently ongoing) in the money laundering scam but
as Chairman of the company which he set up in 2009, should be held responsible
for its failings.
7.
Perhaps the greatest lesson here is for the government (regardless of which
party) should never take the people for granted. In my own discussions with my
mom (who is 80+ by now), she is still loyal and faithful to Barisan Nasional (BN).
The older generation holds dear memories of BN and is forever grateful to its
contribution towards the independence of Malaysia. However, I told her that in
my generation, as an ordinary citizen, we do not hold loyalty to parties but we
hold loyalty to values. We want a clean government and honesty. We are not
easily swayed by lies and deception. We can make up our own minds especially
when we face certain issues in our own daily work environment that tells us
something is not quite right.
In
fact, the future generation is even smarter. I know my children inshaAllah will
have more capability to decide for themselves and to choose the government
wisely without any blind party loyalty.
Reasons for the PH win and
Tun Mahathir Mohamed as PM
1.
If we look at the 2013 elections, despite certain unpopular moves by the
previous PM and people have started to feel uncomfortable with his policies but
the opposition at the time was not able to win a simple majority to form a
government.
2.
PH recognized that they needed to include the dissidents from the government at
the time in order to gain majority support and most importantly, somewhere
along the way, they realized that they needed Tun Mahathir.
3.
We cannot deny that PH won was a large percentage due to Tun Mahathir returning
to the political scene in 2016. Even as a strong supporter of Tun Mahathir, I
was initially surprised that PH named Tun M as their PM candidate. Of course, we all realized that Tun is 92 years old. I thought he
would be an advisor to the government. However, the reasons highlighted by Rafizi
Ramli in his interview made a lot of sense.
I
was very impressed by Rafizi’s honesty as to the reasons for the PH choosing
Tun Mahathir as their PM candidate.
4.
One of the reasons for PH failure in gaining majority support in 2013 was the
ordinary people’s fear and lack of confidence that PH can successfully govern
the country. After all, the person whom PH wanted to put into power, Dato’ Seri
Anwar Ibrahim was in jail so, it will be left in the hands of inexperienced
politicians. The Malaysian public is
culturally rather conservative and we are not dare devils especially in
politics. The typical Malaysians are quite happy to be left alone, as long as
their wealth (whatever that may be, a lot or a little) daily life and way of life
are not affected. BN has been in
government for 60 years since independence therefore, the thought of having
another government with no experience was pretty daunting for most ordinary
Malaysians. On top of that, the public have been brainwashed to fear the
opposition party especially DAP that will rule Malaysia, removing all of the
Malay and Bumiputera rights, stopping people from going for Hajj and Malaysian
will eventually end up like Singapore, or worse, Palestine. These were the
emotional sentiments drummed into the people by the spin doctors aligned with
the previous government.
5.
However, when Tun Mahathir came into the scene coupled by the ordinary people’s
dissatisfaction with the government and their interference in daily life,
creating atmosphere of fear as well as straightening of the public's wallets, people
felt change was possible. Everyone is confident that Tun Mahathir can run
government. He himself said that he doesn’t need to learn about how to be a
Prime Minister as he was the Prime Minister for 22 years. Also, Tan Sri
Muhyiddin was the DPM before he was sacked by Najib hence, people felt that
there were experienced people who could form the next government and that
Malaysia would be okay, if not better than what it has become.
6.
At the same time, the meeting between Tun Mahathir and Anwar brought together
two sides of rival parties. If we akin the power of the PM as the Lord of all
rings, we know that none can wield it without falling prey to its corruption.
However, to put it simply the people see Tun Mahathir as Gandalf. Apart from
Wan Azizah herself, Tun Mahathir is probably the only politician who would
gladly hand over the reign of power to a successor once his job is done. Who
else would have the influence, the experience as well as the strength to right
the wrongs and then, hand over power to someone else?
Hence,
the reasons given above were the political moves that led to the check mate of
the previous government and their ‘King’.
What should BN members do
now?
I
think it would not be a wise decision for any of the BN members to switch sides
at this point. I think we are satisfied and have heard enough of regret and
self-reflection, self-loathing comments from BN members. We are glad that
members have finally realized the mistakes made and have developed respect
towards the people but in order to run this country and to bring it to a higher
level of ‘Vision 2020’, not simply in our economy and GDP but also in our
mentality and thinking, we do need a CLEAN and strong opposition. There needs
to be check and balances with independent and free media, judiciary as well as
opposition.
BN
should revamp themselves. First of all, get rid of the corrupt attitude. The
attitude of pride, arrogance, greed, blaming others, ‘balas dendam’ (tit for
tat) all needs to go. The people who are loud in making ridiculous statements,
taunting the public as though the citizens are no brainers need to be sent for
public relations and communication skills courses. BN inclusive of UMNO, MCA
and MIC need to take a good look at themselves and realize that creating racial
hatred and fear is no longer welcomed. To say things like ‘if DAP rule Penang,
Muslims cannot go for Hajj’ is a type of fear mongering similar to European
Nationalist saying Muslims are going to rule Europe with the Caliphate and
start chopping people’s hands off’.
More
understanding is needed
More
thinking is needed
And
more discussion is needed.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments, criticisms and praises welcome but please be intelligent.