The opposition must be congratulated for their performance in the recently concluded General Elections. The ravenous appetite for change that the rakyat had demanded was embodied by the loss of the ruling coalition’s 2/3 majority and the loss of key states to the hands of the various components of the opposition.

There have even been reports in the media regarding Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim (DSAI) expecting a number of BN MPs to jump ship, and thus allow the ‘Barisan Rakyat’ to take over the governorship at federal level.

I find myself being troubled by this piece of news though. And not only by the fact that the opposition is willing to accept individuals who are jumping ship, as opposed to individuals who believe in the cause that they have been fighting for.

It is relatively easy to band together against a common foe, but once that foe is vanquished, the differing aspects of each component will begin to shine through. Which is not very surprising when you consider the fact that once the common enemy is taken out of the equation, there is a huge discrepancy between the ethos and ideology of each component party.

Despite the self-congratulatory proclamations that the opposition has finally breached the racial divide in the country, such statements are premature. One only has to take a sweeping glance at the ethnic composition of DAP and PAS to gauge the sentiments of these parties, and the antagonism between the two is not exactly ground-breaking news.

The argument against the difference of opinions is that DSAI is able to bring all the differing factions together. There are even quotes in the media from PAS and DAP leaders regarding how they are in only the opposition as partners with PKR, but not with each other. This might seem promising and the need for a strong leader is indeed desirable but what would happen if DSAI is not able to fulfil his role?

For example, what if his surprisingly much-improved paralysing back ailment was to plague him again? Is there another leader who can step into his place with the same ability to galvanise the masses? Will DAP accept a PAS candidate as Prime Minister or vice versa? Is there an individual within PKR who is similarly respected universally?

If the answer is no, then chaos will ensue within the ranks and this will not bode well for the country if the opposition is in power. And for this reason alone, I think it is rather premature for the opposition to contemplate a role at federal level. To place all hope on one man cannot possibly be good for the country in the long run.

The opposition needs to prove that they still have the people’s interests at heart. They should allow for the fact that change is gradual, that the good of the nation should be placed above personal ambition. They must be applauded for their good, tentative initiatives at various state governments but they need to prove that they are capable of working together as a unit in the long run.

This can be manifested by not only heeding to calls of the establishment of a shadow cabinet, but far more importantly, by the creation of a common set of beliefs that is not all about rhetoric and idealism. It is time to move on from personality cults, and to unite around a common belief.

Another happy outcome of the General Election is that the ruling coalition has been made to run away and lick its wounds, with the hope that a lesson has been learnt with regards to humility and the importance of listening to the rakyat ’s needs and not resting on their laurels. Changes (eg, the appointment of respected individuals such as Dato Zaid Ibrahim into the cabinet) are welcomed, and will hopefully be the beginning of a systemic purge of the unwanted.

It has been said by the opposition that recent changes and upheavals within the BN coalition are merely cosmetic; after all, a leopard does not change its spots. They would do well to mind the fact that they too have several leopards within their midst.