THE OPPOSITION PARTY’S PREDICAMENT

In the situation where PKR is at now, I think it requires a miracle to get the party out of its predicament. There seems to be a trail of issues and problems besetting the party mainly caused by defections, dissensions, and speculations of further defection of more party members that may costs PR state controlled government to weaken. Anuar Ibrahim seems a spent force, and his on-going sodomy trial is seriously tapping into his resources, which I think is affecting his physical well being. The ‘gang-ho’ that he was, is eroding.

Though one may blame that there are the hidden hands of UMNO/BN behind all the problems besetting the PKR today, I would rather attribute the failure of the PKR leadership itself to scrutinize its own members, who by and large were formally UMNO/BN members. Some carry along with them the egoistic and arrogance posture that is a trademark among some UMNO elitist. I would also think that the bottom line is personal and materialistic gains, and the void of any sincere and steadfast loyalty to party. This has been the bane in UMNO/BN in the past, which has now manifested itself in PKR…….an eerie manifestation.

I somehow do not see a similar trend infecting PAS or DAP. Generally, their members have been staunchly loyal to the party, and it is because of this that the party has remained intact, and is quite free of self serving individuals. It is evident that there is greater sense of loyalty among its members towards its leaders, and the squabble among members for party positions is not too obvious. Internal squabbling is kept low keyed. And of course, one has not heard nor come across accusation that its members are involved in money politics, a creation of UMNO and a redefining in the meaning of corruption. Securing a party position means nothing really to them, because it does not come with the largesse, contracts or whatsoever.

The formal coalition of PKR, PAS and DAP into a unified Pakatan Rakyat (PR) for the up-coming General Election scheduled in the next two years will be a daunting one for whoever is to assume the leadership of the coalition. A loosely knitted PR is certainly not the way to challenge a well machined BN that has the ‘sky as its limit’. And by remaining in separate political entities does not portray unity; rather it show a serious division that is shrouded in mistrust and uncertainty.

The formal coalition (if ever it is to be realized), need to be strong and a leadership that is buttress in absolute loyalty, corruption free and its policies focused towards people oriented policies. Promises of grandeur projects that is suppose to benefit the people, like that of the many ‘corridors’ introduced during the time of Tun Abdullah Badawi’s administration, I think will no longer draw the peoples support. Who are the beneficiaries of such grandeur projects, if it is not the elitist and the powers that be? The rural folks remained sidelined, or are merely spectators to the dislodgement of their once tranquil and serene environment.

PR has to be realistic in their promises to the people, which must be easily understood and implementable. The promises of millions here, millions there is all hallow talk, and it does not appeal to the people any longer. Anyway, where is the money to throw when PR is not the ruling government? PR therefore cannot take on UMNO/BN based of the promises for grandeur projects. PR can certainly take on UMNO/BN over the ‘bread and butter’ issues, and these are the core issues that are at the heart of the people, and the lists are aplenty. Relook and capitalised on the winning strategies that was adopted in the 12th GE. If it was successful once, it may be successful the second time.

Two years more from the 13th General Elections is not too far away. And if PR thinks that the party can create another ‘tsunami’ that can take them along the road to Putrajaya, then the groundwork has to begin now. This means that there should no longer be any petty squabble from within and among the parties. PR has to solidify its members and they must be willing to entrenched themselves in all nook and corners of the country. The idea is to be visible and to create a ‘third column’ like strategy that was successfully adopted by the Japanese in Malaya in the run up to World War 2. Knowing the needs of the people is the key to winning the election. And similarly in war, and as the saying goes, knowing the enemy wins the war.

Now the million dollar question is who among the leaders of PR today that can lead the charge during GE13. Will it be a leader from PKR? Will it be someone from PAS, or will it be from DAP? The obvious answer is that the person has to be Malay, and my bet is that he is somebody from PAS. Will my prediction be right this time? We will have to wait and see.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION