The US presidential elections reminded the world once again that politics is indeed the art of the possible.

As the results trickled in and Donald Trump, represented by the Republican red, stamped his dominance on the race, jaws fell in disbelief.

The media and political pundits had to swallow the bitter pill that their predictions did not reflect the sentiment on the ground. There was an obvious disconnect between the media, its commentators and the American people at large.

In Malaysia, there is also an individual represented by the colour red making headlines, and like Trump, courting bad press.

But is Jamal Md Yunos a mindless serf doing the bidding of his political masters as critics claim, or is he engineering his ascension in Umno?

The red-shirts leader has exploited a vacuum left vacant by the likes of the keris-brandishing Umno Youth of the past and other right-wing organisations such as Perkasa. Through his actions, Jamal has managed to elevate himself from obscurity into a household name.

It remains to be seen if this stratagem would embellish his political fortunes.

Back to the USA. In the aftermath of the presidential elections, the internet was replete with reactions and analyses. One of those was by British comedian cum actor Tom Walker aka Jonathan Pie, who propounded his views in an expletive-laden video (warning: foul language in video).

Stressing that he would have rather voted for Lucifer than Trump, Pie (photo) however blamed the democrats and liberals for the billionaire’s triumph.

He argued that labels and insults do not help advance a political agenda, a point which resonates with the present situation in Malaysia as well - be it ruling or opposition leaders and their supporters.

It appears that the more divisive politics become, the more compromised the moral compass, where there is little if no room for civil and rational debates.

Politicians and their supporters defend the indefensible, conjure excuses and justifications, and often resort to abusing one another. Angst and hatred have hijacked the narrative.

In his rant, Pie argued that not all who voted for Trump are racists or sexists, and that most Americans did not vote for Hillary Clinton because she offered no palpable change.

Similarly, many in Malaysia have grown disenchanted with the opposition due to the infighting, contradicting views and its failure to provide a viable alternative. Instead, all its efforts and resources are focused on a single individual.

So what happens if the prime minister steps down? Would Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the opposition remain united in challenging Umno-BN and continue to press for reforms, or revert to the pre-Citizens Declaration era?

In raining criticism on the left, Pie stressed the importance of discussion, and winning people over without belittling them.

“When you are unwilling to discuss, you are creating the conditions where Donald Trump and people like him thrive.   

“The left is responsible for this result. Because the left has now decided that any other opinion, any other way of looking at the world is unacceptable. We don’t debate anymore because the left won the cultural war. If you are on the right, you are a freak, you are evil, you are racist, you are stupid...

“How do you think people are going to vote if you talk to them like that. When has anyone been persuaded by being insulted or labelled. If you are on the right or against the prevailing view, you are attacked for your opinion... we have made people unable to articulate their position for fear of being shut down.”

Now back to Jamal.       

It is not ironic that those who criticised the police for coming down hard on protesters in the past even when the situation became chaotic, and abhorred Jamal for his violent behaviour, now cheer when he was forced to nurse a bleeding nose, with some commentators even suggesting that the police shoot him dead.

Malaysiakini was also not spared. The news portal was criticised for its willingness to engage in a discussion with Jamal and his supporters over coffee. Despite facing one of its chief critics, its editors show that they respect differences of opinion and have in a civil discourse.

As Pie says, win them over with arguments. You may not be successful this time. Perhaps not even the next, or the next. But don’t give up trying. After all, this is what democracy is about.

Similarly, Jamal, his financiers and supporters must also realise that threats, violent behaviour and disparaging remarks divide the nation further, and while it might - real or perceived - enhance their political mileage or aid in preserving the status quo, it comes at a great disservice and price to the nation.                               

This is reflected after Trump was elected as president, where it is reported that hate crimes are escalating in America.

This article is written by RK ANAND, who is a member of the Malaysiakini team.