Think back to PM Najib Abdul Razak’s posturing on May 6, the day he first coined the term ‘Chinese Tsunami’. Barely hours after his win, he had already switched gears into preparation for the upcoming Umno elections.
The same is likely to happen with other leaders and political parties.
The reason of course is simple - within our political system, one must lead the party before one leads a government. Losses in party elections could mean permanent exile from mainstream politics; victories could mean the highest offices in the land.
Of course, all this internal bickering can be seen as extremely distasteful and wont to make us cynical. While I agree, and have experienced first-hand, that it is a terribly ugly business, I think the more productive and optimistic way of looking at this phenomenon in some cases is to think of it as a painful cleaning process, that will hopefully leave the movement better for it after.
This past weekend, we saw some opening shots being fired at the PKR Congress. What insights might we gleam?
The axes of Itik Perkasa
If one faction describes the other as “Lame Duck” or “Itik Lemah”, then I suppose that would make them “Itik Perkasa”.
Team #ItikPerkasa certainly made a show of force this last weekend, managing to secure many of the spots allowed for delegates to make speeches (this being one of their many talents).
The usual slew of criticisms and veiled barbs ensued, reaching its climax perhaps in the demand by one speaker for Selangor state government-linked companies (GLC) positions to be given to party members, so that they can “axe those against PKR”.
Perhaps I have a different understanding of politics and the free marketplace of ideas, but I humbly submit that if we intend to bring about change in this country, we had best expend our energies engaging with those among the public who do not share our beliefs, rather than looking to “axe them”. Instead of angrily attacking those who disagree with us, should we not listen attentively to their grouses and see how we might improve?
In fact, one of the lesser known successes of MB Abdul Khalid Ibrahim’s administration is his turning around of the Selangor civil service. Instead of demonisation and confrontation, Khalid opted for capacity building and increased responsibilities for civil servants, growing the bonds of trust both ways. The successes on this front and changes in the attitudes of Selangor’s civil servants towards Pakatan Rakyat as a result are quite significant.
In this time of internal politics, we also see a great deal of emotional responses, especially on social media.
The #InternetReveals, and the ugliness of some characters that has been revealed borders on depressing. I think a lot can be said of any individual or faction by the politeness and dignity, or lack of the same, with which they engage their opponents. While some try to maintain a certain standard of decorum, others seem to want only to wield their angry axes.
‘No’ to Umno culture
This time, Anwar Ibrahim wisely put an end to this talk of appointing party people into state GLCs to pursue political agendas. Khalid’s firm refusal to do so all these years has clearly been shown now to be based on solid principles.
While there is no need to automatically disqualify any qualified individuals merely on grounds of party membership, it was rightly pointed out that choosing GLC leaders on the basis of party positions is indeed the hallmark of Umno culture.
Another page that seemed to be taken out of Barisan Nasional’s playbook was the idea of criticising coalition members in an effort to look like the tough guy.
Some self-professed “bad boys” may think that by “standing up” for the party, they emerge as champions. Yet, this attitude in Selangor resulted in us having two Umno representatives from places where we could have had two PSM representatives. A completely different attitude in the negotiations right from the start would have easily resulted in a totally different outcome in those two seats.
In Selangor and elsewhere, when we needed statesman who negotiated on the basis of equality and mutual respect, we got ‘bad boys’ who tried to play hard-nosed poker without holding any real cards.
From Negri Sembilan, Penang and Pahang to begin with, we are also starting to see the fallout from the manner in which many individuals who had worked the ground hard for years were heavy-handedly passed over in favour of parachute candidates who were chosen on the basis of feudal loyalty rather than qualification. Chickens are coming home to roost.
Strength in humility
While Itik Perkasa bad boys used their podium time to criticise and make demands, Khalid took a completely different approach when he stood up to speak.
Reports show that where others demanded to be heard, Khalid said he had listened. Where others demanded improvement, Khalid humbly promised to improve.
This is not the first time that Khalid, a man who has accomplished much, much more than most of us, willingly stood up and ate humble pie.
I cannot say for sure that I, being in that position and being made to suffer truly outrageous slings and arrows, could summon the amount of humility required to do the same.
Khalid (right), demonstrating a keen understanding of the political landscape described clearly by GE13, stated that he would focus on rural development. He also said that the state government will indeed look to invest more this term, while simultaneously continuing their work to further grow the state reserves.
Those who find this contradictory may not be aware that this is already what the Khalid administration has achieved in its first term. Some are quick to criticise what is perceived as ‘hoarding’ of state resources, yet fail to realise that in his first five years, Khalid increased not only the state reserves, but also welfare allocations via the Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor programmes.
Was there any other head of state this last term that managed to increase both income and spending at the same time? If only Malaysia as a whole were run as such, perhaps we would not have to endure the upcoming Goods and Services Tax (GST).
While some see leeching the state as the only way to finance political work, others see the mandate to govern and manage state finances as a test through which the rakyat judge where we place our priorities.
While we steel ourselves ahead of more ugly internal politicking, let us keep in mind the necessity of surviving this process of conflicting visions as part and parcel of defining exactly what our movement is about.
The same is likely to happen with other leaders and political parties.
The reason of course is simple - within our political system, one must lead the party before one leads a government. Losses in party elections could mean permanent exile from mainstream politics; victories could mean the highest offices in the land.
Of course, all this internal bickering can be seen as extremely distasteful and wont to make us cynical. While I agree, and have experienced first-hand, that it is a terribly ugly business, I think the more productive and optimistic way of looking at this phenomenon in some cases is to think of it as a painful cleaning process, that will hopefully leave the movement better for it after.
This past weekend, we saw some opening shots being fired at the PKR Congress. What insights might we gleam?
The axes of Itik Perkasa
If one faction describes the other as “Lame Duck” or “Itik Lemah”, then I suppose that would make them “Itik Perkasa”.
Team #ItikPerkasa certainly made a show of force this last weekend, managing to secure many of the spots allowed for delegates to make speeches (this being one of their many talents).
The usual slew of criticisms and veiled barbs ensued, reaching its climax perhaps in the demand by one speaker for Selangor state government-linked companies (GLC) positions to be given to party members, so that they can “axe those against PKR”.
Perhaps I have a different understanding of politics and the free marketplace of ideas, but I humbly submit that if we intend to bring about change in this country, we had best expend our energies engaging with those among the public who do not share our beliefs, rather than looking to “axe them”. Instead of angrily attacking those who disagree with us, should we not listen attentively to their grouses and see how we might improve?
In fact, one of the lesser known successes of MB Abdul Khalid Ibrahim’s administration is his turning around of the Selangor civil service. Instead of demonisation and confrontation, Khalid opted for capacity building and increased responsibilities for civil servants, growing the bonds of trust both ways. The successes on this front and changes in the attitudes of Selangor’s civil servants towards Pakatan Rakyat as a result are quite significant.
In this time of internal politics, we also see a great deal of emotional responses, especially on social media.
The #InternetReveals, and the ugliness of some characters that has been revealed borders on depressing. I think a lot can be said of any individual or faction by the politeness and dignity, or lack of the same, with which they engage their opponents. While some try to maintain a certain standard of decorum, others seem to want only to wield their angry axes.
‘No’ to Umno culture
This time, Anwar Ibrahim wisely put an end to this talk of appointing party people into state GLCs to pursue political agendas. Khalid’s firm refusal to do so all these years has clearly been shown now to be based on solid principles.
While there is no need to automatically disqualify any qualified individuals merely on grounds of party membership, it was rightly pointed out that choosing GLC leaders on the basis of party positions is indeed the hallmark of Umno culture.
Another page that seemed to be taken out of Barisan Nasional’s playbook was the idea of criticising coalition members in an effort to look like the tough guy.
Some self-professed “bad boys” may think that by “standing up” for the party, they emerge as champions. Yet, this attitude in Selangor resulted in us having two Umno representatives from places where we could have had two PSM representatives. A completely different attitude in the negotiations right from the start would have easily resulted in a totally different outcome in those two seats.In Selangor and elsewhere, when we needed statesman who negotiated on the basis of equality and mutual respect, we got ‘bad boys’ who tried to play hard-nosed poker without holding any real cards.
From Negri Sembilan, Penang and Pahang to begin with, we are also starting to see the fallout from the manner in which many individuals who had worked the ground hard for years were heavy-handedly passed over in favour of parachute candidates who were chosen on the basis of feudal loyalty rather than qualification. Chickens are coming home to roost.
Strength in humility
While Itik Perkasa bad boys used their podium time to criticise and make demands, Khalid took a completely different approach when he stood up to speak.
Reports show that where others demanded to be heard, Khalid said he had listened. Where others demanded improvement, Khalid humbly promised to improve.
This is not the first time that Khalid, a man who has accomplished much, much more than most of us, willingly stood up and ate humble pie.
I cannot say for sure that I, being in that position and being made to suffer truly outrageous slings and arrows, could summon the amount of humility required to do the same.
Khalid (right), demonstrating a keen understanding of the political landscape described clearly by GE13, stated that he would focus on rural development. He also said that the state government will indeed look to invest more this term, while simultaneously continuing their work to further grow the state reserves.Those who find this contradictory may not be aware that this is already what the Khalid administration has achieved in its first term. Some are quick to criticise what is perceived as ‘hoarding’ of state resources, yet fail to realise that in his first five years, Khalid increased not only the state reserves, but also welfare allocations via the Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor programmes.
Was there any other head of state this last term that managed to increase both income and spending at the same time? If only Malaysia as a whole were run as such, perhaps we would not have to endure the upcoming Goods and Services Tax (GST).
While some see leeching the state as the only way to finance political work, others see the mandate to govern and manage state finances as a test through which the rakyat judge where we place our priorities.
While we steel ourselves ahead of more ugly internal politicking, let us keep in mind the necessity of surviving this process of conflicting visions as part and parcel of defining exactly what our movement is about.
NATHANIEL TAN tweets @NatAsasi. He believes in #TsunamiCintaMalaysia
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