I refer to the Malaysiakini report Dr M in favour of direct BN membership .

If NGOs regardless if they are apolitical or otherwise are permitted to join a political coalition, it is anticipated there would be jostling for control over these NGOs which may detract them from their primary objectives for which these NGOs were established in the first place.

As a safeguard, NGOs may need to consider reviewing their articles for their incorporation/ association so as to prevent attempts for them becoming official supporters of any political coalition or party in the future, that is if they do not wish their organisations from being politicised or being political from their inception.

If this is their choice, NGOs could still play their constructive role in influencing the shakers and movers of public policy totally independent from any political coalition or party. In short, they need not be beholden to any political master, and they could speak up without fear or favour for the greater good of the nation.

Notwithstanding this, it is expected that there will be certain NGOs which will readily welcome such direct-entry membership into BN. However, the greater issue for consideration would be the decision-making process in determining which NGO, individual or other political party would be permitted to join BN.

Would it is be by a simple majority, a two-third majority or a unanimous decision, especially when BN has to decide on the application of eg a right-wing NGO or a former disgruntled deputy president of a BN component party, etc? Needless to say, the smaller the political party in BN, the lesser will be its influence, especially if the BN membership is enlarged further.

This would require the very careful deliberation by existing BN parties. The political party that is proposing this amendment to the BN constitution will have a lot of explaining and convincing to do before all BN component parties could decide.

A premature endorsement without providing the basis such as by the MCA deputy president seems a lack of wise political judgment at this juncture.

Direct membership may seem to be a political strategy by some quarters to counteract Pakatan Rakyat’s efforts in formalising its political coalition, and to stay one step ahead of it.

If the direct membership is accepted by the existing BN parties, it may be used as a political publicity instrument to announce its open-door policy for all Malaysians to join BN directly, thus further strengthening its ‘1Malaysia’ slogan.

It would be the second-best expedient solution in contrast to the amalgamation of all BN component parties into a single Malaysian political party, which is fraught with insurmountable challenges. Moreover, the time is not on BN’s side to wait much longer, as the next general elections are not that far away.

It would be interesting to watch how Pakatan Rakyat would respond to BN’s proposed initiative direct membership of NGOs, individuals and other political parties.