A concerned Malaysian writes about Malaysian affairs. "You are the Change you Seek" Barack Obama

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

"Screw Your Courage to the Sticking Place!" A Little Advice for our Embattled Prime Minister

This quote from Shakespeare's MACBETH is most apt for AAB as he has to fight off challengers from within and without his own party.

It would have been the easiest thing to resign and just leave the nation to others who may be more inclined to use force to stay in power. Don't forget we still have all those draconian laws that hang over all Malaysians.

Malaysia in entering a critical phase of political development and I feel AAB should be allowed to lead the nation; pending the results of the state elections in Sarawak.

Meanwhile he can take courage from Shakespeare's emphasis on the need for courage. He uses a "double" idea - screw your courage and put your courage on the sticking place. AAB needs to be courageous, firm and fair.

As it may be his last term in office, he should do the things that are correct in his heart and his conscience. Forget about past niceties and do the right thing.

1 comment:

novice101 said...

The BN leaders, all, express desire to hold 'soul-searching' sessions to determine what caused them the humiliating defeat in the recent election. They need not crack their heads, as most of their work had been done for them, by their own members, the members of the press and the memebers from the academia. The comments given by the lady and gentlemen below are pertinent and incisive! They are to the point, no wishy-washy', beating-around-the-bush' statements.

Abdullah Badawi, Najid Abd. Razak, Ong Ka Ting, Samy Vellu, Koh Tzu Koon and Kayveas, take heed. Ignore them at your own peril!


Rita Sim's analysis :-

The more mature generation vented their frustration against political arrogance, corruption and inefficiency in government. Many of these sentiments are “postponed feelings”, accumulated over the years.

The Chinese are not angry with the Malays but they are angry with Umno's arrogance

At another level, it was a generational shift of younger voters who do not share the historical baggage of their parents' generation.


Tan Sri Dr Sak Cheng Lum's analysis:-

The younger voters were looking at more universal aspirations like fairness, an equitable and open society, media freedom, accountability and economic issues.
The writing is on the wall. We cannot hesitate over reforms. I won't say the Opposition will do much better than us but they can't do worse than us.


DAP strategist and Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong's analysis:-

The key word is equal opportunity be it in education, politics or business. The demand for equal opportunity will be the driving issue in future elections as more young Chinese Malaysians come of voting age.


Prof James Chin of Monash University said :-

Despite the limelight surrounding issues like Chinese schools, pig-rearing and scholarships, Chinese interests are also largely national issues.

Solving problems behind closed doors does not work for today's generation.

They want fair treatment, a level playing field and they are critical of corruption. They want to see sustainable economic growth and less interference by the government in the private sector. The Chinese business sector believes that too much interference leads to inefficiency, corruption and does not encourage a level playing field. They want their leaders to articulate a vision for not just Chinese Malaysians but all Malaysians. That's why a significant number went for PKR which, on paper at least, speaks for all Malaysians. And it is quite clear by now that the MCA and Gerakan style of solving problems behind closed doors does not work for today's generation. They want vocal leaders who speak out when there is injustice and in a rational and intelligent fashion. Speaking out and justifying what you do is part of being transparent. The Barisan Nasional's formula of consensus politics is fine except that over the years, the Chinese feel it is more about giving in to the demands of Umno.


Penang Gerakan politician Teng Chang Yeow:-

Even Gerakan, which started off as the voice of conscience, lost its way when it allowed the politics of the day to take over. We keep asking the Chinese for full support so that they will be well represented in government. But wasn't that what they gave us in 2004, total support? Now you know why they're fed-up,

Leaders like Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Khairy Jamaluddin must realise this. People equated their behaviour with Umno's inability to change with the times. If an Oxford-educated guy still talks like an Umno politician of 10 years ago, what hope do we have for the rest of Umno?

The Chinese were disappointed that well-educated Malay professionals in Umno Youth, beneficiaries of the NEP, were still speaking the political language of a decade ago. It is time Malay politicians keep the keris out of politics. The message from the voters is very clear. They are prepared to put the opposing side in power. Not all the Chinese votes were strictly about protest, as evident from the nasi kandar boycott in Penang. Locals were disgusted with the demonstration against the new state government by Umno members and supporters and nasi kandar shops run by Indian Muslims have reported slow business in Chinese areas.