I know, you
know, they know. Everyone knows that while UMNO is ready to go into the 13GE
with all guns blazing, Pakatan Rakyat is now finding itself in unfamiliar
territory. Bereft of any sense of real solidarity within its ranks and the shifting
of sands on the very ground that they now stand, PR now faces a Rakyat that
questions their increasingly fragile claim to being the legitimate alternative
to the BN government.
Pakatan Rakyat
entry into national politics has been much too easy. And that which is won too
easily can also be too easily lost. Sadly the euphoria of the 12th
GE has not been galvanized into solid gains for PR in the realm where it
matters – into the potential of getting votes from the people for the next
general election. What should have been a dream run into the 13th GE
to ensure final victory and government for PR has now turn into a logistical
and political nightmare for PR with all it attendant problems and systematic
loss of popular support from the very people that voted for them in the 12th
GE. UMNO has steadily reinforce its electioneering capabilities to prepare
itself for the coming GE. PR with the notable exception of Penang, has been
resting on its laurel’s. PR was content to basks in the after glow of its breathtaking
victory in the 12th GE
- and now it is faced with its nemeses - UMNO. The 13th GE is
almost upon them. They now have to face UMNO again in battle–UMNO is ready, PR
is not.
We the people of
Malaysia are witness to these two political adversaries now circling each other
to see who will win this battle. We watch to see which of them will have our
votes and which will have our commiserations. There are, of course, the
faithful and die hard for both sides whose mind are already made up no matter
what–but it is us, the voters, who will deliver the critical mass to ensure
victory.
And what do this
critical mass want?
- Leaders they can trust. For sure.
- Leaders who will inspire. For sure.
- Good Governance. For sure.
- The dawn of a new and Invigorated
- Malaysia where we are all one
- people in thoughts, aspirations
- and in fact? For sure.
And there are
many other things we want and need but that can all wait. For we need good,
honest and trustworthy leaders first – once we have them, all else will surely
follow.
And where are
these leaders? Where can we find them? Not Malay leaders, not Chinese not
Indians. Not Kadazan, not Ibans not Dayaks. No we want leaders who are
Malaysians in thoughts and in deeds.
If Najib or Anwar can be this Malaysian leader that we seek then they
will lead their party to victory and they will have our votes. They are both
trying but the dynamics that interplay within themselves and without has not
made it possible for either of them to claim the mantle of being this Malaysian
leader – at least not yet. The perception is that they both need to do more.
Then who else?
Hard to say
really. For now there are only these two on stage shadow boxing with each
other. Both unable to grasp the illusive and intangible wants of the rakyat.
Both unable to give themselves totally to the needs of the people. Both their
past in politics raising more questions then answers. Even now their past seems
to accentuate their weaknesses rather then reinforce their strengths. Their
past is history and yet they cannot each draw much strength from their history.
Much as they want to they both cannot break from their past to move into the
present and prepare themselves for the future that will come. So what then for
our country? Is all lost?
The answer will
lie in the wisdom of the people. It will lie in the wisdom of Najib and DSAI to
do what they must if either of them is to become our Leader.
For Najib he has
to make happen what he said he would do. 1Malaysia, ETP etc - all this must not
just be words that are spoken because he knows that is what the people want to
hear. It must also be what BN/UMNO wants in the truest sense of the word. Make
it happen and the people will vote for you.
For DSAI he must
be the force for hope and change that he has promised us all that he will be.
Break free from the limitations of party politics and factionalism and petty
self interests. Discard your comfort levels. You want to lead the nation not
just PKR. If you want to lead the nation then you must take yourself to a place
where you put the people and country interest above all else. Do this and the
people will come and be with you – and they will give you their votes.
The others are
merely players and a supporting cast to these two combatants. And yet when all is said and done, it
is the supporting cast, it is us, that will decide which of these two will win.
So they have to take note of this reality. The people will decide. Ignore the
people at your own peril. Either of you might choose to masses as you busy
yourself with the task of surviving politically. Either of you will, at the end of the day, go back to the
comforts of your palatial homes and bosom of your loving family to recoup and
ready yourself for another bruising day of politicking the next day. While you
are cocooned in your own comfort zone spare a thought for the people for whom
putting food on the table for the family dinner is a daily struggle. For those
people who have to face the uncertain future to earn a decent living and for
the people who do not want to face another tomorrow because there is no hope
for a better day no matter what they do.
For these are
the people that will vote for you in the numbers you need to ensure victory.
These are the people who will make the difference. And when you do….maybe….just
maybe you will start to understand that winning and losing the GE is in the
hands of Malaysians who wants real change. No corruption, no nepotism, no
deceit, no jobs for the boys and for cronies. The people of Malaysia want
accountability, responsibility and transparency in government. Give us that
hope and you will have our votes. No more, no less. We Malaysian are all faced
with the same decision–who will govern us after the 13th GE. We
should face it together. You are one, with me we are two.
