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COMMENT | Remember, M’sians: Together, we achieve more
COMMENT | After the country had watched so many uprisings in the past to reform the electoral system and to improve Malaysian democracy, the 15th general election (GE15) could be the harbinger of those better times to come.
That said, post-GE15 should, essentially, be about building a better society where we care more for one another and there is a lesser gap between the wealthy and the poor.
It would have been highly inspiring if somewhere along the campaign trail, someone had stood up assertively to tell the nation: “Look, our country is in a bad shape. Let’s pick up the broken pieces and mend the nation TOGETHER.”
Sure, there were some half-hearted attempts to use the election campaigns as a platform of national unity and promises of more jobs, lower prices, better healthcare and education opportunities, and more investments in food technology, agriculture and infrastructure.
But these had been heard over and over since, perhaps, Malaysia recovered from the sectarian clashes of the 1969 general election. We keep hearing the same refrain every time an election comes around.
Naturally, we should look at what each candidate stands for. More importantly, we should recognise that every party consists of people with different political affiliations but have a common goal. There’s never a ‘correct’ candidate or party to vote for.
There was a semblance of a fiesta when the candidates were announced at the respective nomination centres on Nov 5, with 945 aspirants vying for the 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.
At the same time, 116 state seats went up for grabs in Pahang, Perak and Perlis, in state polls concurrently run with the federal elections.
With 20 parties and 108 independents in the fray (according to the Election Commission website) the whopping number of contenders can be taken as a reflection of our flourishing democracy.
However, the euphoria of the crowded field gradually...
COMMENT | After the country had watched so many uprisings in the past to reform the electoral system and to improve Malaysian democracy, the 15th general election (GE15) could be the harbinger of those better times to come.
That said, post-GE15 should, essentially, be about building a better society where we care more for one another and there is a lesser gap between the wealthy and the poor.
It would have been highly inspiring if somewhere along the campaign trail, someone had stood up assertively to tell the nation: “Look, our country is in a bad shape. Let’s pick up the broken pieces and mend the nation TOGETHER.”
Sure, there were some half-hearted attempts to use the election campaigns as a platform of national unity and promises of more jobs, lower prices, better healthcare and education opportunities, and more investments in food technology, agriculture and infrastructure.
But these had been heard over and over since, perhaps, Malaysia recovered from the sectarian clashes of the 1969 general election. We keep hearing the same refrain every time an election comes around.
Naturally, we should look at what each candidate stands for. More importantly, we should recognise that every party consists of people with different political affiliations but have a common goal. There’s never a ‘correct’ candidate or party to vote for.
There was a semblance of a fiesta when the candidates were announced at the respective nomination centres on Nov 5, with 945 aspirants vying for the 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.
At the same time, 116 state seats went up for grabs in Pahang, Perak and Perlis, in state polls concurrently run with the federal elections.
With 20 parties and 108 independents in the fray (according to the Election Commission website) the whopping number of contenders can be taken as a reflection of our flourishing democracy.
However, the euphoria of the crowded field gradually quietened down and languished to be more of empty vessels making a lot of noise as the campaign period draws closer to the finish line.
Now the aspirants wait with bated breath - in excitement or anguish - to see how the campaigns and the dedication of their supporters work out.
PM Zahid?
Meanwhile, social media continues with its incessant chats. A much-talked-about matter in cyberspace is focussing on Barisan Nasional (BN) opponents allegedly painting a picture of uncertainty over the coalition’s preferred prime ministerial candidate.
Despite assurances by Umno president and BN chair Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other party bigwigs that Ismail Sabri Yaakob would continue as PM in the event of a BN victory, the opponents’ story is that Zahid himself is eyeing the post.
Controversy surrounding the issue arose when images of a statutory declaration supposedly signed by Umno members pledging to back Zahid as PM were circulated online.
Exasperated, Zahid issued a statement to stress that the eventual decision belongs to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.
“The absolute power to appoint the prime minister lies in the hands of His Majesty, as enshrined under Article 43 (1) of the Federal Constitution,” he stressed.
The remark, somehow, fuelled more speculation that Zahid is, indeed, in the running for the pivotal post.
More sensational, however, is the exaltation by Khairy Jamaluddin, the BN candidate in Sungai Buloh, that he also wants to be the PM “when his time comes”.
“I’m not saying I want to be the PM now,” assured the 46-year-old health minister in the outgoing government, adding he was banking on Ismail Sabri to be reinstated for the post after GE15.
Khairy’s bold statement, needless to say, has caused ripples of excitement in the political circles and among netizens.
It has also prompted Zahid to tell the former youth and sports minister to “just focus on winning Sungai Buloh.”
No easy feat
The PM’s role is the highest political job a person can hold. It’s the top of the political career progression ladder and comes with a lot of responsibilities and much public scrutiny.
Being the PM is functionally different from other high-profile roles, like that of a corporate leader, showbiz celebrity or religious icon.
His life is more of a political portrayal in the country and national spokesman at international meetings, forums, seminars and bilateral discussions with world leaders.
It doesn’t come with a fame statistic; so, the PM just cannot put himself as a TV show host or be featured in a regular social chat programme. A TV appearance is the occasional telecast of his press confabs or addressing the nation in times of an emergency or giving a festive greeting on those special occasions.
He’s got to be careful when he opens his mouth to speak; as the media would want to quote him saying either the cleverest thing or the most foolish;
So, being PM is no easy feat, Khairy. It could take until your twilight years before you can enter yourself into the race.
That’s because you’ll need a vast amount of political experience behind you - more years than you currently have as a parliamentary legislator and minister - or your chances of succeeding will simply plummet.
Each election generation comes with a different political landscape. Forget about Zahid, Ismail Sabri, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Anwar Ibrahim and Shafie Apdal. Khairy, your contenders are the likes of Rafizi Ramli, Nurul Izzah Anwar and Johari Ghani.
Of course, if you have deep pockets to spend on your campaigning, the system would probably favour you. Equally, you’ll want to have enjoyed a high approval rating in your current and early political roles to boost the chances of your future success.
Throw caution to the wind, if you must, once you are ready to run, go for it!
Every success to KJ and to all candidates vying for the 222 seats in parliament. May the best men and women win tomorrow!
FRANCIS PAUL SIAH is a veteran Sarawak editor and heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak. He can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
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