Typically Forgetful Politicians

Karpal Singh’s rantings…normal. It’s not like he’s never done it before. True what he said, Anwar needs to be accountable for what happened in Perak. Even though no one can really pin-point any one person for the happenings in Perak, but in the end, the leader must take the blame eventually.

However I do not agree with some of the things he said, especially his unwavering position again on the Hudud issue. Sure it’s something you don’t want, but you don’t need to bring everything back on the same issue. Heck, PAS wants Hudud but it doesn’t go and threaten to quit the alliance if they don’t get it. Doesn’t that show who the bigger man here is? Then again, it’s only typical Karpal. Like Azizan the MB of Kedah said, it’s Karpal, he likes to pick a fight.

Also, what it shows here is that there are always frictions in any alliance, but the way one does it is and go about it is the more important aspect to be looked at. This is a democratic country, therefore you would aspect frictions. It’s not like communism or dictatorship where the leader has the say on all says.

But for UMNO (especially Muhyiddin) to play it like there’s a huge hole in Pakatan’s alliance just shows, what we all know about politicians, i.e.: (a) how a simple system like democracy can be so vague when politicians try to explain them (b) how short the memory span of a politician is.

“a” does not need any lengthy explanation because democracy works that way and regardless how cohesive a party seems to be, there’s always going to be cracks in it. It’s a bit disappointing that Karpal chose to vent out his frustration in that manner but it does not mean the alliance is going to fall apart just because. The fact that there’s a disagreement among members of an alliance does not mean it’s all over.

Also, democracy works because of the people. If you have the blessing of all the people you are the rightly appointed democratic government. Had PR toppled the federal government then surely it’s not democratic on the face of it. However, if it so happens there’s a vote of no-confidence and whatsoever then there’s a different twist to democracy (the complicated aspect of democracy), because the people’s elected representatives had acted, according to his belief, what is best for the people of his constituent. Fact is, no such thing (vote of no confidence) happened in Perak so that is where the line starts to become even more blurry. In this case both sides may have an element of truth to their contentions (that is also why experts are divided on this matter).

In Anwar’s case also, there are no secrets. Things are done in the open so if people do have a beef with him, there can be a formal debate and discussion on the matter. People were prepared for the outcome had it or had it not come. BN however lied and swept the rug from under our feet. Democracy requires transparency even if it is extravagant (like Anwar’s constant declaration which came to naught).

“b” doesn’t require lengthy explanation either. Let’s look back at March ’08, the month was rife with the new election coming up. Everyone was extremely excited and as and believe it or not, were conceding the fact that come PRU-12 election result, we would be seeing the same outcome as previous elections would suggest - a comprehensive win for BN.

However, after the election people were caught by surprise. No one would’ve thought that their vote would be as important as it was. No one could’ve imagined that their vote for the opposition would coincide with that of their neighbor’s. This spells defeat for the longest serving government in the world, even though they still won majority.

Someone has to take the blame and like it or not it must be the head of the pack, Abdullah.

Karpal’s outburst might seem amusing to Muhyiddin now, but 8 months ago, his own calls for Abdullah to step down seems like a distant thing of the past to him - something which he had nothing to do with. He is in fact commenting on his own doings and should therefore be amused by his own past rantings. But just like any other UMNO politician (or in fact any other politicians) their memory and principle leaves much to be desired.

Just for fun (even though I’m sure every political commentator have discussed these examples) let’s look at some other funny individuals;

Khairy called for the 2 former Perak excos who were charged for corruption to be suspended pending trial. Now with UMNO’s election only a few weeks away, he has given his blessing to the toppling of the Perak government via, the hopping of the same 2 Perak excos he himself denounced.

Pairin Kitingan vehemently proposed for an anti-hopping law as did some other BN politicians but no one is making a sound now. The usually eloquent Rais Yatim could not provide any words of wisdom on the hopping that he once opposed. I guess no one wants to sound stupid, as if they were duped by Najib. No wonder it’s so easy for Najib to climb the ladders in UMNO and subsequently the government itself, everyone around him seems clueless and dumber.

Also, just to clear things up with regards to the “sue the Sultan” issue. I understand the negative sentiments from the people, but seriously it’s just a question of law. It’s not like anyone’s proposing the Sultan step down from power (or whatever authority he has) or anything. The question is, did he act beyond his own power? If Sultans cannot be touched, why then does the law allow such proceedings?

It has happened before and people have questioned the Rulers before. We need not go back too far because last year alone several cases cropped up all over the place (Terengganu, Perlis, Selangor) and also courts have also dealt with cases where Regents were sued (Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Pahang).

Remember, the law which allowed the Rulers to be brought to court required an amendment of the Federal Constitution. This was done by Mahathir during his reign as the Premier. To amend requires the majority of the Parliament by 2/3 vote. 2/3 of the MPs during that time belong to the ruling coalition, i.e. BN. Majority of BN is UMNO itself. The UMNO and BN people we have now aren’t new faces. These are old faces which I’m sure at least a few of them voted for the amendment to the Federal Constitution allowing the challenging of the Rulers. Are you telling me that if Karpal or anyone from the opposition brings the Sultan to court, they are treacherous? Why allow the law to act in such a manner in the first place? To have the answer to that question, I think the right people to ask are the UMNO and BN people who voted for the law back then. I’m sure at least Abdullah, Najib, Rais, Muhyiddin and some others are a part of those people. Who is treacherous now?

Peace :)