YOURSAY | ‘As Max Weber said, politics is akin to the slow drilling of holes in hard timber.’
In oppositional spaces, no one can hear you scream
RCZ: I think that the opposition were their own harshest critics when they lost. As someone put it, how does one fight the 3Ms - the media, the machinery and the money? Not to mention the race and religion game. It's near impossible.
Malaysians, in particular the Malays and rural citizens, are either brainwashed or uninformed of the real problems facing the country. These groups need to be educated so that the 3Ms may not have any effect.
It is a daunting task and the opposition ought to be thanked but there is no easy way to destroy the 3Ms, except with education.
Hang Babeuf: Get over this elections obsession, everybody. Under its regimen for the renewal and ever continuing reappointment of the ‘permanent government’ by regular but manipulated plebiscitary methods, Malaysia doesn't have an electoral system of politics. It practices not politics through elections but a system of elections instead of politics.
It’s time to begin thinking seriously about politics, not elections. And, yes, “for many voters, the dream of change is dead.” So we can also conclude that Umno/BN dominates, and ensures its continuing domination, not just via plebiscitary distraction but also through “the politics of heartbreak”. And it works.
Yes, true, and honestly said: “One-on-one fights not enough to defeat BN,” says a DAP man. So, that said, on to the next step: One must now ask, what more will be necessary?
This will involve not dubious ‘no-contest’ pacts among opposition parties. Nor forlorn efforts to rebuild collapsed and exhausted old vehicles and structures.
It will require new thinking, a new ‘paradigm’, and an entire new kind of imagination: a re-imagining of Malaysian politics.
This new paradigm must be created, first, in people’s minds and sentiments, then in their sociability and interactions, and then in operating social and organisational forms.
When that is accomplished people will find that, based upon this new understanding, a new kind of national imagination, a new kind or form of power, and with them a new basis for mobilising people and ultimately of governing sensibly and fairly have been created.
When to start? Ten or 15 years ago would have been better, but “there is no time like the present”. It will take time. It is a long-term project.
As Max Weber said, politics is akin to the slow, patient, painful drilling of holes in hard timber. But that is how it must be done. It is the only way.
Anonymous Hotplate: Dr Mahathir Mohamad is a human being. He realised his mistakes and now decided to help save the country from corrupted demons.
But it is the opposition parties that should think wisely as they are a made of good, educated persons who can become good, sincere leaders who can save this tiny nation from the money-crazed greedy and selfish Umno.
DAP, PKR and Amanah join as one party under one name, one logo and stand against BN. Only then can the people trust you to take over the government.
Sarwakian: Well said. But I still believe a crucial future role to be played by Dr M.
Next course is to burn down Umno’s house of cards. I predict he will join Amanah and try to bring down Umno and BN.
Like veteran journalist A Kadir Jasin, he might even apologise for his mistakes if he realises he will gain no traction otherwise. Above all else, Dr M is an achiever. He will do what it takes.
Anonymous_3f4b: A good and enlightening article but as always, will the opposition take heart with what was written and make amends, or will it be the same routine once again?
The opposition needs a new leader of the opposition
Proarte: There can never be any 'Harapan' for Malaysia because we are caught in a constitutional 'straitjacket' which condones racial and religious discrimination.
Furthermore, the ruling 'Malay' elite have amended the constitution innumerable times to entrench their rule based on privilege, bigotry and racism.
The doyen and chief culprit of institutionalised corruption, racism and bigotry is Mahathir. The current Umno leadership is merely operating on a model known as Mahathirism.
If Harapan does not offer a radically different trajectory of governance which does not shy away from advocating constitutional changes which will underscore the equality of each citizen, freedom of worship and justice then any new leader of Harapan will not make any difference. As the saying goes, “You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.”
The best we can hope for in the current scenario is to support good candidates in BN who hopefully will rehabilitate the coalition.
Anonymous 2126791438609287: "In Sungai Besar, Umno-BN won with a 9,191-vote majority. In Kuala Kangsar, BN won with a majority of 6,969 votes.”
The majority BN obtained increased by almost tenfold. This despite the scandal-ridden prime minister leading the government. Even Mahathir’s showing couldn’t close the obvious cracks in the opposition movement.
I think you should revisit how you count the majority. The Election Commission’s (EC) version can't be used.
Anonymous_40f4: Anwar Ibrahim worked very hard to unite the opposition and formed a formidable challenge to Umno Baru-BN.
After GE12, when BN lost their two-thirds majority in parliament, Umno Baru’s leaders decided that they have to get rid of Anwar if they wanted to hold power in Putrajaya.
What easier way than to go for Sodomy II? The rest is history.
Now with Anwar in prison, the Umno Baru leader is thumping his fist at the opposition and calling them for a fight.
Prudent: Anwar was able to 'unite' the opposition at least outwardly because of the late Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s support.
Once he passed on, the restraint over PAS’ ulama faction was gone, coupled with the weakening of the 'progressives' whose strength relied on the late Nik Aziz.
I doubt whether even Anwar would be able to recruit PAS again, even if he were free.
The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.
These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
