So I made a post about how disappointed I was with DAP's move to appoint a PAS Mentri Besar for Perak, and the general consensus seems to be that it's a good idea to "play safe". Because the Malay-majority state of Perak isn't ready for a Chinese or Indian MB.
I don't know about you guys, but that is the MOST RETARDED THING I'VE HEARD since the elections ended.
You want to play it safe? First of all, how is insulting the intelligence of an entire state "playing it safe"? And secondly, people seem to be missing the point of having an honest to goodness mandate.
(And don't give me that nonsense of UMNO playing up racial hatred if a non-Malay MB is chosen. There's an easy way to counter this: by doing a damn good job.)
The Opposition just got a big fucking mandate for CHANGE. They didn't vote for the Opposition because they think they're so awesome (because they're not). It's because they're sick and tired of 50 years of BN rule and four years of incompetence and corruption. If the people wanted to play safe they'd have voted BN back in. But they didn't - because they're demanding that things change right freakin' NOW. Voting for a shaky Opposition takes a lot of guts. It's a HUGE step for them to make, and I'm genuinely stunned that more people can't see that.
Mandates are a big deal. HUGE. They're huge because not only is the Opposition given the okay to make change, but because there's a time limit to do so. Less than four years, to be exact. And when people give you a mandate and you don't deliver on it, they tend to get pissed off about it. Do you know who was the last guy to get a mandate and fuck it up? Badawi. And look what happened.
BN's losses this election? It's nothing compared to what the Opposition will lose in 2012 if they don't grow some balls and take a risk to effect big, ambitious change instead of playing it safe to keep their votes. The people just put their hopes and dreams on a weak Opposition in the slim chance that they can turn things around. Fuck this up, and they will never forgive them for it.
You have a mandate now. People are saying, "It's okay, do what you think needs to be done to turn things around." Now's the time for big ideas and grand ambition. While there's still time.
Update: Okay, people seem to be missing the point here and I guess I wasn't clear enough in why I was upset that DAP did what it did. A Malay MB is perfectly fine, don't get me wrong. But I'm upset because there was a chance to get everyone to grow comfortable with the idea of a Chinese or Indian governor. Look, if they choose a perfectly qualified Malay for the post, I'm fine with that if that's why they did it. But choosing a Malay MB because a Mentri Besar "must" be Malay is simply a big step backward.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
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8 comments:
oh wow you are so smart, I am sure you have a PHD in malaysian politics.
with all the big talks about having balls and making drastic changes, you must be a genius political strategist. why don't you be a politician and I am sure you will make an impact.
denied BN 2/3rds is a huge step and the opp will need to get ready to lead and work for the rakyat. appointing a Malay MB for Perak is not a big deal as long as DAP and PAS can work together to make things better for the state. Yes we have voted for a change, but if a Malay MB will make things easier then so be it.
and before you ask, yes I am a Chinese.
I am a chinese.
Now, who is the ruling government?
Enough chinese representatives in the RULING government?
Supposing the ruling government decide something for the majority (chinese is minority, less than 30%), what can the opposition do? Remember, the opposition is not the Ruling government.
Will the minority chinese interest be still protected?
Tell me, wise people.
Finally, thanks for getting straight to the point.
- Anon #2
Hello my friend. You are seriously misinformed. All Malay Sultanate states in Malaysia, including Perak's Constitution states that only a Muslim can be the Menteri Besar.
The Menteri Besar is supposed to lead palace and Islamic functions related together with the State Mufti. Now do you see why a Chinese from DAP cannot be MB? By the way, majority of Perak are Malays.
I applaud your stand on dismantling racial politics. But just because Barisan Rakyat won big doesn't mean that you can dismantle race from politics any time soon. All good things come with time. So be patient.
Trying to push a Chinese as MB in Perak will only push all the Malays back into the welcoming arms of UMNO? Is that what you want? For Perak to fall back into BN's hands at the next election? In politics there must be compromise and flexibility for the greater good.
First of all, there is only a very slim majority - only 31 versus 28.
There is always the danger of party hoppers.
Secondly, talking about risk. DAP is taking a big risk of disgruntled ambitious elected DUN members and disatisfaction from their supporters.
Luckily, the PAS guy for MB is an engineer. An ulama would have been problematic.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the MB candidate is probably the most academically qualified DUN. I believe there are other even more qualified professionals, experienced people, highly respected and acceptable people but they are Parliament wakil rakyat.
Anyway it is a bold attempt at cooperation. Hope the PAS, PKR or even DAP members do not start getting swollen headed and shoot themselves in the foot with loose mouths and stupid actions as happened in Kelantan and Trengganu previously.
Hopefully the new MB is able to work wisely with his colleagues, and draw support from all including the loyal opposition. If he lacks the people or managerial skills, he should try to tap others to cover for him.
Here's my take on the position of MB's and deputy MB's in the 4 states (except Kelantan) ruled by BR coalition:
Penang: MB- DAP, Deputy- PKR
Selangor: MB- PKR, Deputy- DAP
Kedah: MB- PAS, Deputy- PKR
Perak: MB- PAS, Deputy-DAP
I think politically-wise this is quite fair. What do you think? FYI I'm a Malay, and would have voted for DAP in Kepong (but now I'm in the US and didn't have the chance to do so.)
aN
Alex: Firstly, I'm sure you understand just how utterly stupid it is to prevent someone from holding a governing position just because he or she won't be able to take part in a specific religious ceremony. This is something that has to change.
Secondly, it's incredibly insulting to think that the people of Perak would be so appalled with a Chinese or Indian MB that they would vote for the very party they were disgusted with enough to vote against in the first place. The mentality that "Malays must be governed by Malays" has to change, and the Opposition had the opportunity to make the first step towards that instead of continuing to feed it. That's what a MANDATE is for.
Besides, whoever has the job will have four years to show that they can take care of their interests just as well if not better than the previous person. It's easier said than done, sure, but someone's got to do it.
anon: I REALLY hope you're right. An engineer definitely > ulama. But again, the point is that they could have taken the first big, bold, symbolic step towards ending racial politics, and they didn't.
aN: If they can do the job, sure I guess. Time will tell. (I couldn't vote either, and I was looking forward to this election for two years now. Lack of overseas postal voting sucks big time.)
Unfortunately, Alex is right - the state constitution for all the Malay states unfortunately allows only a Malay Muslim to hold the post of Menteri Besar. I think this is the only reason why the DAP has to back down on it. In that case, they can't do much - to amend the state constitution would require 2/3 majority which is not the case in Perak atm.
It's quite backward though. If you want someone to handle religious events then create a specific post for that. It shouldn't be the MB.
Anyway, as others have pointed out, true power still lies in the DAP who has the most seats. So a DAP deputy would be the de facto leader.
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