MAY 21 — 2008 was a year that promised change for the supporters of both ends of the political spectrum. For those who didn’t vote for Barisan Nasional (BN), finally, there would be a strong and viable alternative, with a fresh approach fashioned on the promise of good governance and meritocracy.
For those who voted for BN, many believed that the political tsunami would provide the impetus for much needed change in the party’s direction. Reform-minded Umno supporters – myself included – believed that with Dato’ Seri Najib Razak, we had the right leader to spearhead change within the party.
Unfortunately, both coalitions have failed to live up to these expectations. Optimism has been replaced by pessimism; and solidarity has been replaced by massive infighting on both sides.
The opposition pact is tearing at the seams, a result of internal party disagreements on issues such as Hudud. PAS and DAP hardly see eye to eye these days, and it looks unlikely that a compromise will ever be struck, notwithstanding their opposing ideological beliefs.
PKR on the other hand, just can’t get its act together. While it calls itself the party of renewal, they seem very reluctant or unable to look at a PKR beyond Anwar Ibrahim.
When it comes to policy, it is hard to discern what the opposition truly stands for, especially when it comes to an alternative Bumiputera agenda. What is the official opposition stand on entities such as UiTM and PNB instance?
It is no surprise then that PR only managed to garner 41 per cent of the popular Malay vote in GE 13. If the opposition is serious of being in Putrajaya come GE14, it needs to step up and start presenting itself as a viable government for all Malaysians and not limit its appeal to those in the upper middle class suburbs of Bangsar and Bukit Damansara. Given the way PR has gone about contentious issues before, expect this to cause as much tension as Hudud.
For Umno, it is simply a case of deja vu. Back in 2008, Tun Mahathir launched a campaign that eventually resulted in the resignation of then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Badawi. This time, he hopes to achieve the same with Dato’ Seri Najib.
The only difference this time is what’s at stake. Tun Abdullah did not have a mega scandal. Najib on the other hand has a RM 42 billion time bomb in 1MDB.
Tun Mahathir has been relentless in his attacks, questioning the Prime Minister’s role in the shady transactions that have put 1MDB in a mess. Senior UMNO members have also expressed their concerns and all signs point to a potential change in leadership in a bid to strengthen party unity.
This completely misses the point. A change in leadership is important, but not nearly as important as a change in direction.
All Umno leaders must take responsibility for the situation that they find themselves in. Questions about 1MDB have been raised since 2013, why did they allow it to come to this point? Furthermore, since GE 13 the party has veered more towards the right, the recent double standards in the use of the sedition act being one of many examples. Continuing on this path will not do BN any favors, if they intend to stay in power and recapture the urban and non-bumiputera votes.
Given the pitiful display and constant politicking from both sides, we have to ask ourselves, are our politicians serious about change? Can we depend on them to shape a convincing new path? A path for all Malaysians, that unites rather than divide us.
I’ve always believed that politicians will always want to convince you that they can change the world, but ultimately, change must come from each of us.
Thus, the sooner we stop depending on charismatic politicians for change, the sooner we realise our own self-agency in provoking change.
Are Malaysians ready for this? Not now, I believe it will take more upheavals, and failed leaders, before the Malaysian public realises that it cannot rely on politicians to fight its battles.
There are capable Malaysian leaders, most notably the likes YB Khairy Jamaluddin and Tony Pua, but they are a minority, and none of them are close enough to the pinnacle of influence in either of their respective parties.
As ever, it is up to our politicians to make the call. If it’s business as usual, expect a more polarised Malaysia. One can only hope that this does not happen.
** This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
