Opposition, please deliver…

This morning, I was impressed with a writer’s feedback at the comments column of the Sun. The writer complains that the oppositions have been blaming the past government for almost every problems encountered by the rakyats. This is especially so in the state of Penang. I can’t agree more with the content not because I am a member in a component party of BN but as a voter. Most of us agree that without 2/3 majority, the government should perform better and more efficient. While the respective state opposition is there to monitor the performance of the state government, it is discouraging to see that all those political parties are not putting the people’s interest first. For that, I must say that both BN and PR as state and federal oppositions have so far failed to be a constructive opposition. In fact any opposition that is not constructive is labeled “destructive” (SM Lee Kuan Yew). As the saying goes: “by the people, of the people, for the people”. Be that as it may, if an opposition does not voice out constructively, they might as well forget about winning the next election. Criterias such as proposing alternative ideas in policies instead of just criticising, calling for reform instead of pretending like they are operating in a democracy, speaking up on important issues and not being dormant in between elections are important for the oppostions to function effectively.

Talk about being dormant, such behaviour happens not only by the opposition but also politicians. Many were on a specific agenda and aggressively participated in every activities of his or her constituency during the election but when the results are not in their favour, back to sleep. As a result, many supports and contacts may have become redundant. The candidate would lie dormant until the next attempt. Similarly within a party, there are also some members of the same plight. The potential candidate of the party election will start contacting the delegates and prepare the menu (‘cai dan’) just before the election. The root of such problem lies in the nature of the party itself, that breed opportunists.

Whether it is to contest a party or general election, some believe in lobbying strong grassroot supports while others believe in individual skills such as intellectual capability, publicity or the most despicable ones are those who believe in currying favour with the top leaders. Such phenomenon does not occur only in Gerakan but in most political parties. Although it can be a political strategy, to me, it is not justifiable that he or she deserves a vote particularly if it is obvious that their faces are back in action only months before the election or by support of certain quarters’ dominance.

No doubt political rights, freedoms, internal squabbles and strategy are part of the game, without consistency, credibility and clearest demonstration of commitment, no one can truly excel in his or her political life. Nothing in the world of politics has ever been accomplished without passion, sincerity and integrity.