Japanese lesson for BN
Hamdan IbrahimPublished: Sep 2, 2009 3:08 PM | Updated: Sep 2, 2009 3:11 PM
The general election result in Japan, where the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was trounced by the main opposition party, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) should be a lesson to Barisan Nasional.
The winds of change in the Land of the Rising Sun might just blow Malaysia's way soon. Having ruled the nation since independence does not mean that you can rule forever.
Umno now is bereft of good and clean leaders who command the respect of young voters who can make a difference comes elections times.
The general election result in Japan, where the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was trounced by the main opposition party, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) should be a lesson to Barisan Nasional.
The winds of change in the Land of the Rising Sun might just blow Malaysia's way soon. Having ruled the nation since independence does not mean that you can rule forever.
Umno now is bereft of good and clean leaders who command the respect of young voters who can make a difference comes elections times.
LDP in Japan has fewer leaders involved in scandals but because of the economic meltdown, voters ditched the party in favour of its rival headed by prime minister elect, Yukio Hatoyoma
Like other democratic countries, our political situation is evolving into a two-party system.
The last historical election result which nearly toppled the ruling party, shows that people can and will remove those MPs who have overstayed their welcome and replace corrupt state leaders with new ones.
Other nations have seen their leaders thrown out of office due to their leaders failing to hear the voices of the majority.
Changes of government have occurred in the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand and it will be a matter of time before the winds of change blow to our shores also.
One can only hope that Japan under a new leadership will revamp its economy. A strong Japanese economy can be an engine of growth to nations that trade with the country.
Malaysians too, will benefit as a lot of Japanese companies operate their plants here.
Najib Razak has tried his best to win over the hearts and minds of a skeptical public with a slew of incentives to make life more comfortable for the common people.
But judging from by-elections result since he helmed the nation, it seems his reforms did not have the desired results.
The bad old days of plundering natural assets and public money by leaders and their cronies are over.
In the new age, internet access has made the public aware of their leaders' misdeeds, thus making it more difficult for them to swept things under the carpet.
The new, younger generation demands better quality and honesty from their elected MPs and state assemblypersons.
Leaders in this country should emulate the wisdom of the late Edward Kennedy who said: "Treat public service, not like a job or a vocation but, a way of life.
But it sad to see the opposite happenng here.
The ruling parties are still groping in the dark, refusing to understand that if they don't change for the better in the coming months, Umno and its BN partners will be relegated to history like their Japanese counterparts.
The winds of change in the Land of the Rising Sun might just blow Malaysia's way soon. Having ruled the nation since independence does not mean that you can rule forever.
Umno now is bereft of good and clean leaders who command the respect of young voters who can make a difference comes elections times.
LDP in Japan has fewer leaders involved in scandals but because of the economic meltdown, voters ditched the party in favour of its rival headed by prime minister elect, Yukio Hatoyoma
Like other democratic countries, our political situation is evolving into a two-party system.
The last historical election result which nearly toppled the ruling party, shows that people can and will remove those MPs who have overstayed their welcome and replace corrupt state leaders with new ones.
Other nations have seen their leaders thrown out of office due to their leaders failing to hear the voices of the majority.
Changes of government have occurred in the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand and it will be a matter of time before the winds of change blow to our shores also.
One can only hope that Japan under a new leadership will revamp its economy. A strong Japanese economy can be an engine of growth to nations that trade with the country.
Malaysians too, will benefit as a lot of Japanese companies operate their plants here.
Najib Razak has tried his best to win over the hearts and minds of a skeptical public with a slew of incentives to make life more comfortable for the common people.
But judging from by-elections result since he helmed the nation, it seems his reforms did not have the desired results.
The bad old days of plundering natural assets and public money by leaders and their cronies are over.
In the new age, internet access has made the public aware of their leaders' misdeeds, thus making it more difficult for them to swept things under the carpet.
The new, younger generation demands better quality and honesty from their elected MPs and state assemblypersons.
Leaders in this country should emulate the wisdom of the late Edward Kennedy who said: "Treat public service, not like a job or a vocation but, a way of life.
But it sad to see the opposite happenng here.
The ruling parties are still groping in the dark, refusing to understand that if they don't change for the better in the coming months, Umno and its BN partners will be relegated to history like their Japanese counterparts.
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