MAY 22 — Recently, I took a taxi in Kuala Lumpur and in that short trip my taxi driver gave me a simple but profound analysis of political parties in Malaysia today. I was astounded by his insights and could not agree more with

him. I also share his pain looking at the state of our nation today and that sense of helplessness. Here is what he said.

Taxi driver:      Let me sum up what is going on the minds of major Malaysian political party leaders today.

UMNO – fear of losing (money)

PAS – religion will help win enough support. UMNO is on our side.

PKR – lost its charm; lost its tooth; finding next leader

MIC – lost in the woods; Indians still suffer in Malaysia

DAP – trying to me less Chinese; survive on – cannot control PAS and PKR

MCA – trying to be more Chinese; will voice Chinese concerns when back in Cabinet…. (yeah, where is the Cabinet position you promised us, Ah Jib Gor?); 3+5? 3+3? 3+2? Then what? Chinese in this country will suddenly become richer, more educated, social standing improved, get government projects?

GERAKAN – errrr….. MCA, who’s “boh-hoot” now? Win or lose, Teluk Intan here we come!

According to my taxi driver, the crucial factor to the success of a government and the effectiveness of a Cabinet is not the racial composition of the members (ministers). It’s the quality of the members that sit in the cabinet to make the everyday decisions for this country. While parties are finding ways to survive and seek more support from voters (electorates), one he said, was focused on getting back their Ministerial positions at the cost of speaking out and championing people’s rights today.

He said he was tired. He was tired that a “Cina” political party has not spoken sense; it decided to rejoin the Cabinet and accepted all government positions at state levels. It had not laid out what the representatives intend to do when back in government. If it is just merely a party that is controlled by big towkays and favoured the elites, then why should he vote for them, he asked.

In the meantime, his Indian friends were complaining about lack of jobs and opportunities to thrive in this economy. UMNO is stronger by the day with or without the other component parties, save for Sabah and Sarawak.

He said he does not know how to vote anymore. If he has to, he would just vote to protest against the situation and the weak leadership of the current government.

I paid the taxi fare and got out of the car. Thanked the man behind the wheel for his wisdom and for rightly pointing out what is lacking in this country now.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.