Which direction to take?
The three component parties of Pakatan Rakyat is having different ideologies and it would be very difficult for them to reach a consensus. However, in terms of aiming to check and balance BN and break BN's long term political monopoly, DAP, PAS and PKR are indeed heading towards the same direction.
By LIM MUN FAH/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily
Politics sometimes looks very complicated but it is fact very simple. And sometimes, it looks very simple but in fact, very complicated.
Pakatan Rakat is still waiting for the approval of its registration but the dispute on who should be the top leader has surfaced. The question can be very complicated but it can also be very simple.
Once it is registered, Pakatan Rakyat will have to choose a president. DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat and PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are all qualified for the position. The question is: Who is the most suitable candidate? Who will be accepted by the other two parties as the overlord of the three component parties?
The 8 March general elections has brought the two-line system to the country's politics and Pakatan Rakyat rose as the second force that was able to contend with BN. However, Pakatan Rakyat, after all, was an informal political alliance and the component parties, namely DAP, PAS and PKR, decided to work together at that time based on political interests. Thus, inevitably, they had to face with contradictions and frictions when distributing political gains.
| "Thus, inevitably, they had to face with contradictions and frictions when distributing political gains." |
It is very clear that Lim and Nik Aziz are now possessing their own power and enjoying rising prestige within their respective party. But it is very difficult for them to be accepted by the other party as the overlord of the alliance.
Anwar seems to be a more compromising candidate. But the party's Supreme Council member Datuk Zaid Ibrahim sees Nik Aziz, instead of Anwar, as the best candidate.
Zaid's is not having a strong party spirit and thus, he can be far-sighted and prioritise the collective interests. He hopes that Anwar can sacrifice himself while expecting Lim to show a politician' s magnanimity to make Nik Aziz the spiritual leader for Pakatan Rakyat, just like Mahatma Gandhi of India.
The suggestion is full of ideals but it is very difficult to achieve.
Even if Lim really “shows a politician's magnanimity” and accepts Nik Aziz as the overlord, DAP may not be able to accept an overlord from PAS based on the practical considerations of political interests.
As for the public, they are expecting the Opposition to keep growing and they hope that the two-line system is not a short-lived phenomenon. They wish the two-line system will be deepened and consolidated.
The three component parties of Pakatan Rakyat is having different ideologies and it would be very difficult for them to reach a consensus. However, in terms of aiming to check and balance BN and break BN's long term political monopoly, DAP, PAS and PKR are indeed heading towards the same direction.
After experiencing ups and downs over the past 20 months, the three parties have come to another turning point in history. The people are waiting to see whether they will bow to the old system structure and compromise, or show their political wisdom by putting aside the minor differences so as to seek a common ground and bring the Opposition a new hope.
It is inevitable to have conciliation, compromise and concession in political reality. In fact, formal registration is just a formality. The more important thing is, whether they can set aside their differences and through a new political platform, build an institutionalised mechanism of corporation, as well as a more fair, reasonable, effective and transparent negotiation-cooperation mode?
written by beijing, November 17, 2009 12:36:40
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written by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , November 17, 2009 11:32:46
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written by Rainbowseahorse, November 16, 2009 22:43:25
But it's the supporters of these three component parties that is or will be the problem.
Tok Guru: Both PK & DAP supporters will not agree...might attract some neutral Malay/Muslims voters.
LKS : Both PAS & PK supporters will most definitely not agree...might attract some neutral non-Malay voters, but will probably loss quite a number of would-be neutral Malay/Muslim voters.
Anwar : Some supporters from DAP & PAS will not agree...and loss of charisma of late might, plus strong possibility of being found guilty of sodomy II, makes him an unstable leader and will do more harm than good in being leader of freshly minted party.
Zaid Ibrahim is still one pf the most promising alternative leader as of now, but is he willing to be made one?
The other alternative is, of course, Nizar Jammaludin. He has shown that he is a feisty and untiring fighter and a leader of caliber.
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written by batsman, November 16, 2009 22:15:03
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written by my2cents, November 16, 2009 19:11:31
Parliamentary seats, an equitable balance. All seats won by the respective parties should be retained. Seats lost should be given to the party with the best chace to win in based on demographics, party ideologies, candidates popularity and voters feelings. So simple.
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written by educationist, November 16, 2009 18:32:48
And this is the direction that is most important!
As long as they are headed in that direction, I believe they can be assured the support of a large portion of the voters!
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