Pak Lah should not have given in to neo-cons
HLPublished: Mar 10, 2008 10:01 AM | Updated: Mar 10, 2008 10:02 AM
Currently as it is, no one can deny that BN was an authoritarian if not totalitarian ruling party that had perhaps been suitable for Malaysia for 40 years as part of an indigenous Marshall Plan-like emergency rule which made possible security and stability to enable Malaysia to develop and catch up with the developed world with minimal growing pains for its multi racial populace.
But the time and grace period for that ruling privilege must surely end in due course. It is only natural. Hopefully, the future of Malaysia will see two political parties with coalition ethnic minority parties as Step 2, and in Step 3, at least two true non-racial political parties. Probably that may take another one or two generations. But perhaps I should be more optimistic.
I like Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and some of the people in his cabinet. I certainly think the deputy interior minister should go! Whatever it is, if Abdullah should leave office, it would be a loss to the country. He has also done good. We have noticed. But it is unfortunate he has wrong people advising him in his cabinet.
For example, retaining the long-staying Election Commission chairperson of questionable ethics, and apparent endorsement of fraudulent electoral processes, what are we, as the electorate, to think? In the past, the dacing or ‘scales of justices’ was meaningful, for it stood for justice and balancing the needs of the people whatever their race.
But now? It seems to be an icon or symbol for unabashed cheating, corruption and abuse of office. Of course, these started way before him, but he should not have capitulated to the neo- cons Mahathirists in his party. Trying to do a U-turn and outdo Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his ways pursuant to loud and empty slanderous noises from critics, is not the way. Abdullah should have kept to his own principles and beliefs.
Which only leaves me shaking my head and asking, ‘What is a decent guy like Abdullah doing in a vipers' den like Umno?’ He should be in PKR really. But if the party is bigger than the man, then, it is all the more reason why we need to have a two-party system. If the leaders cannot control the godfathers and influence peddlers in Umno, and in fact, have to become like one of them, then the only recourse left for the people of this fair country, is to ensure no one party rules in perpetuity.
As it is or was, Umno had become an arrogant ‘ruler’ already. Had Abdullah not been around, doubtless, it would have been more so. Abdullah still provides hope for the future of Malaysia. If he or any of his successors, cannot realise the dream and vision of the late Hussein Onn - the founder of Umno - to make Umno a non-racial party, then Umno must ebb in strength as it must become irrelevant, while an alternative non-racial party like PKR and Anwar Ibrahim, must concomitantly, grow in strength. For this is the 21st century. This is the future and this is what it beckons.
But the time and grace period for that ruling privilege must surely end in due course. It is only natural. Hopefully, the future of Malaysia will see two political parties with coalition ethnic minority parties as Step 2, and in Step 3, at least two true non-racial political parties. Probably that may take another one or two generations. But perhaps I should be more optimistic.
I like Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and some of the people in his cabinet. I certainly think the deputy interior minister should go! Whatever it is, if Abdullah should leave office, it would be a loss to the country. He has also done good. We have noticed. But it is unfortunate he has wrong people advising him in his cabinet.
For example, retaining the long-staying Election Commission chairperson of questionable ethics, and apparent endorsement of fraudulent electoral processes, what are we, as the electorate, to think? In the past, the dacing or ‘scales of justices’ was meaningful, for it stood for justice and balancing the needs of the people whatever their race.
But now? It seems to be an icon or symbol for unabashed cheating, corruption and abuse of office. Of course, these started way before him, but he should not have capitulated to the neo- cons Mahathirists in his party. Trying to do a U-turn and outdo Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his ways pursuant to loud and empty slanderous noises from critics, is not the way. Abdullah should have kept to his own principles and beliefs.
Which only leaves me shaking my head and asking, ‘What is a decent guy like Abdullah doing in a vipers' den like Umno?’ He should be in PKR really. But if the party is bigger than the man, then, it is all the more reason why we need to have a two-party system. If the leaders cannot control the godfathers and influence peddlers in Umno, and in fact, have to become like one of them, then the only recourse left for the people of this fair country, is to ensure no one party rules in perpetuity.
As it is or was, Umno had become an arrogant ‘ruler’ already. Had Abdullah not been around, doubtless, it would have been more so. Abdullah still provides hope for the future of Malaysia. If he or any of his successors, cannot realise the dream and vision of the late Hussein Onn - the founder of Umno - to make Umno a non-racial party, then Umno must ebb in strength as it must become irrelevant, while an alternative non-racial party like PKR and Anwar Ibrahim, must concomitantly, grow in strength. For this is the 21st century. This is the future and this is what it beckons.
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