Since March 2008, there has been so much talk about about change but do we really know what change we want to see? Most have just been saying KICK OUT BN. That is not change. It is merely setting the platform for change. To be able to change, the rakyat and politicans need to deliberate over the type of constructive changes that we want to see in our country without lamenting that it is impossible but believing that together, we can do it.
Even though we claim to have a two-coalition system (albeit not formally), the dominant coalition has shaped the political landscape to their advantage - almost transforming our system into a "single party in power" with the alternative coalition standing in the shadows and sometimes screaming for attention. The tendency is abuse comes into the picture and the rakyat are the biggest losers.
The inefficiency and lack of accountability of various departments leading to outlandish expenditures on nonsensical items, both big and small, must be stopped. In our midst are some who have no qualms about grabbing whatever they can while they can because they can. Report any abuse of power! There is a lot that needs to be done. Those who have not been performing up to mark must not be re-elected! There is no two ways about it. We have to put in place worthy leader to make that change happen.
Many of us believe that voting for the Opposition is the way to bring about change. That is just the starting point. If the Opposition has the interests of all at heart, I hope that their election machinery is all oiled and cranked up for immediate action that can happen any time. Instead of the usual mud-slinging, the Opposition must help to restore respect to politics.
While writing this post, I was chatting with Antares via Skype. He said:
The good news is that we don't have to suffer all those negative traits much longer because each of us has the opportunity to change the entire political discourse if we want to. Each of us could indirectly change the way that government works and the way the discussion progresses. Being highly connected via the net and telephony systems, we have become highly social beings who can be better prepared to lead/change the world. It is up to us to be part of that wheel of change that is spinning.
A few days ago, RPK wrote a timely proposal in his post called "Can We Look At This Instead, A Bill of Rights?"We need such proposals to engage the election candidates in a lively debate and test out the waters to see who is the one who can deliver those needs.
In the next GE, campaign speeches can no longer take the same theme, content or style like in the past. This is a more educated and enlightened electorate who should ideally know what they want and vote the right candidate into place. Change can only come the Opposition can offer candidates of calibre who can execute plans and follow through these to bring about change. Without sounding cliched, they must do more than just walk the walk. And they should have already handpicked the candidates, prepared the funds and election manifesto and paraphernalia.
Some say politics is the “art of the possible.” That being the case, change can only come if we put into place leaders who can practice the political art without selling their souls to the devil.
Change can be effected if we elect candidates who can achieve the most for the common good which they must understand thoroughly!
We want leaders who listen to others, especially the rakyat and to tell us nothing but the truth. They must be gallant to admit their failings and learn from their mistakes. Change can come if our leaders do not waste their time merely demonizing their critics and opponents without doing much or worse still, become like them when they are in seats of power.
We want leaders who can compromise their convictions within acceptable limits, without betraying their consciences, in order to achieve the best for the most, as they understand the best to be, in cooperation with their political opponents. We want people capable of changing their minds and admitting their errors. And we want leaders who don’t seek “all or nothing” in ideological battles that no one wins and that produce countless casualties. In a word, we want free human beings to lead us, not ideologues or demagogues.
Change can only come if we see election candidates who refuse to be trapped by power, profit, possession, position, privilege and pleasure. Before demanding anything from others, they should be able to demand it of themselves and to do for others what they would want others to do for them and their loved ones.
For the next GE, I really hope that there will not be any outrageously expensive and endlessly analyzed campaigns that drain us of our patience and sanity.
The rakyat and politicians alike must be very clear about what sort of change we want to see in our country. Let us move beyond 'Kick BN Out' or Change is Imperative. Let us list out our concerns and see how these can be changed for the better.
What is everyone of us doing now to make that change happen? Are we sending out emails or engaging our friends in forums/social networking media/dinners etc? Are we volunteering our services and talents to the party we support so that they can call on us to help during the campaign period?
Are we jotting down our concerns and voicing these via the right channels?
There is so much to be done and we cannot be armchair critics. Yes, change is imperative and we have to make it happen but once it does, other changes must be put into place like clockwork. So I sincerely hope that the Opposition are well-prepared by now with their election manifesto and not to haggle or argue but to work cohesively to make that dream happen.
Even though we claim to have a two-coalition system (albeit not formally), the dominant coalition has shaped the political landscape to their advantage - almost transforming our system into a "single party in power" with the alternative coalition standing in the shadows and sometimes screaming for attention. The tendency is abuse comes into the picture and the rakyat are the biggest losers.
The inefficiency and lack of accountability of various departments leading to outlandish expenditures on nonsensical items, both big and small, must be stopped. In our midst are some who have no qualms about grabbing whatever they can while they can because they can. Report any abuse of power! There is a lot that needs to be done. Those who have not been performing up to mark must not be re-elected! There is no two ways about it. We have to put in place worthy leader to make that change happen.
Many of us believe that voting for the Opposition is the way to bring about change. That is just the starting point. If the Opposition has the interests of all at heart, I hope that their election machinery is all oiled and cranked up for immediate action that can happen any time. Instead of the usual mud-slinging, the Opposition must help to restore respect to politics.
While writing this post, I was chatting with Antares via Skype. He said:
"The negative traits that BN represents happen to be the lowest common denominator of the human ego - arrogance, greed, wanna be top dog, live in palaces, buy sex, luxury yachts, private jets. It is these attributes that make every jumno contractor aspire to live like some brain dead ruler."
The good news is that we don't have to suffer all those negative traits much longer because each of us has the opportunity to change the entire political discourse if we want to. Each of us could indirectly change the way that government works and the way the discussion progresses. Being highly connected via the net and telephony systems, we have become highly social beings who can be better prepared to lead/change the world. It is up to us to be part of that wheel of change that is spinning.
A few days ago, RPK wrote a timely proposal in his post called "Can We Look At This Instead, A Bill of Rights?"We need such proposals to engage the election candidates in a lively debate and test out the waters to see who is the one who can deliver those needs.
In the next GE, campaign speeches can no longer take the same theme, content or style like in the past. This is a more educated and enlightened electorate who should ideally know what they want and vote the right candidate into place. Change can only come the Opposition can offer candidates of calibre who can execute plans and follow through these to bring about change. Without sounding cliched, they must do more than just walk the walk. And they should have already handpicked the candidates, prepared the funds and election manifesto and paraphernalia.
Some say politics is the “art of the possible.” That being the case, change can only come if we put into place leaders who can practice the political art without selling their souls to the devil.
Change can be effected if we elect candidates who can achieve the most for the common good which they must understand thoroughly!
We want leaders who listen to others, especially the rakyat and to tell us nothing but the truth. They must be gallant to admit their failings and learn from their mistakes. Change can come if our leaders do not waste their time merely demonizing their critics and opponents without doing much or worse still, become like them when they are in seats of power.
We want leaders who can compromise their convictions within acceptable limits, without betraying their consciences, in order to achieve the best for the most, as they understand the best to be, in cooperation with their political opponents. We want people capable of changing their minds and admitting their errors. And we want leaders who don’t seek “all or nothing” in ideological battles that no one wins and that produce countless casualties. In a word, we want free human beings to lead us, not ideologues or demagogues.
Change can only come if we see election candidates who refuse to be trapped by power, profit, possession, position, privilege and pleasure. Before demanding anything from others, they should be able to demand it of themselves and to do for others what they would want others to do for them and their loved ones.
For the next GE, I really hope that there will not be any outrageously expensive and endlessly analyzed campaigns that drain us of our patience and sanity.
The rakyat and politicians alike must be very clear about what sort of change we want to see in our country. Let us move beyond 'Kick BN Out' or Change is Imperative. Let us list out our concerns and see how these can be changed for the better.
What is everyone of us doing now to make that change happen? Are we sending out emails or engaging our friends in forums/social networking media/dinners etc? Are we volunteering our services and talents to the party we support so that they can call on us to help during the campaign period?
Are we jotting down our concerns and voicing these via the right channels?
There is so much to be done and we cannot be armchair critics. Yes, change is imperative and we have to make it happen but once it does, other changes must be put into place like clockwork. So I sincerely hope that the Opposition are well-prepared by now with their election manifesto and not to haggle or argue but to work cohesively to make that dream happen.
- masterwordsmith
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.