On the same quest under different identities
Peter BoonPublished: Mar 1, 2001 7:39 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
I would not want to commit myself to who is right or who is wrong over the Keadilan-DAP tiff over party-hoppers ([#1]Keadilan luring our members: Penang DAP[/#], Feb 26). I only wanted to see that sincerity and maturity prevail in the leaders of BA.
To be in BA, one has to be open-minded and contribute towards its objectives. A weak BA is not an alternative to Barisan Nasional as voters would be easily swayed by the latter, as what happened in 1999. As a Penangite, I am aware of former DAP stalwart Teoh Teik Huat's ability to wrestle a seat from BN in 2004 if given the opportunity to contest. But sadly, the same people who spoke about restoring justice, freedom, democracy and good governance towards a new political scenario in Malaysia are making it very difficult for people like Teoh to contribute towards the success of BA.
The policy of some BA members, that "this is my party's seat" as in the case of Lunas, is obsolete. The BA victory in Lunas proved a point in that whichever party wanting to vie for a seat must have credentials to ensure victory for BA. Candidacy should not be based on tradition.
The new political age is totally different, given the disadvantages confronting BA. Efforts on the part of all BA potential poll candidates to start laying the groundwork from now until 2004 would be more beneficial to BA rather than wasting time on the membership issue. It is normal for the BA component to have differences at grassroots level as it is also happening in BN too.
But I salute Lim Kit Siang for admitting that Keadilan National leaders are sincere and honourable. I strongly believe that all BA leaders think likewise. As Dr Chandra Muzaffar has given the assurance that Keadilan will be applying the three principles as endorsed by the BA Council of Leaders, all BA components should refrain from making press statements, to avoid 'mischievous reportings'.
Graciously allow whoever who wants to leave the party to join another. It will be a dark day for BA if any of their members were compelled to join Barisan Nasional. DAP should have learnt its lesson from past crossovers of their state assembly representatives and members of parliament to BN. I am very confident that people like ex-DAP members like Teoh, Bala and Gooi can still contribute towards the success of BA, but under a different identity. So please, treasure them now.
To be in BA, one has to be open-minded and contribute towards its objectives. A weak BA is not an alternative to Barisan Nasional as voters would be easily swayed by the latter, as what happened in 1999. As a Penangite, I am aware of former DAP stalwart Teoh Teik Huat's ability to wrestle a seat from BN in 2004 if given the opportunity to contest. But sadly, the same people who spoke about restoring justice, freedom, democracy and good governance towards a new political scenario in Malaysia are making it very difficult for people like Teoh to contribute towards the success of BA.
The policy of some BA members, that "this is my party's seat" as in the case of Lunas, is obsolete. The BA victory in Lunas proved a point in that whichever party wanting to vie for a seat must have credentials to ensure victory for BA. Candidacy should not be based on tradition.
The new political age is totally different, given the disadvantages confronting BA. Efforts on the part of all BA potential poll candidates to start laying the groundwork from now until 2004 would be more beneficial to BA rather than wasting time on the membership issue. It is normal for the BA component to have differences at grassroots level as it is also happening in BN too.
But I salute Lim Kit Siang for admitting that Keadilan National leaders are sincere and honourable. I strongly believe that all BA leaders think likewise. As Dr Chandra Muzaffar has given the assurance that Keadilan will be applying the three principles as endorsed by the BA Council of Leaders, all BA components should refrain from making press statements, to avoid 'mischievous reportings'.
Graciously allow whoever who wants to leave the party to join another. It will be a dark day for BA if any of their members were compelled to join Barisan Nasional. DAP should have learnt its lesson from past crossovers of their state assembly representatives and members of parliament to BN. I am very confident that people like ex-DAP members like Teoh, Bala and Gooi can still contribute towards the success of BA, but under a different identity. So please, treasure them now.
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