Popularity is Power
from the people!
A popular government has the solid backing of the CITIZENS.
A popular leader doesn’t have to bribe anyone for support; just a mere word and
he can mobilize thousands in one solid show of solidarity and affection
endorsing their choice for those whom the citizens prefer to lead them.
When the leader/ leaders possesses
the allegiance of the marjority of a nation’s people behind them, commanding
their trust, respect and overwhelming support and affection.
WELL, THAT IS POWER!
What the rallies seem
to have accomplished
If popularity is any indicator, I doubt that the BN lineup
can come anywhere near to the appeal that Anwar and his brothers in arms
command. At merely stating that there is to be an assembly, the people just
come out in droves to see them in a show of support and solidarity, without promises
of free food or any other enticements apart from the fact that they want to see
in person this man and his comrades in the flesh and hear their views. And if
needed, to rally behind them in a show of strength and mass support.
Time and again, this
has been demonstrated via the rallies throughout the nation.
Detractors may feel that the assemblies don’t seem to go
anywhere but sifting through all the logic and reason, somehow there is a grudging
conclusion that perhaps it does meet a purpose. Shoring up the sentiments of the
people, deposit as it were, to be withdrawn in a crucial time. Whipping up the
sentiments of outrage amongst the people that they have been defrauded.
Perceived foul play
is a thorn in people’s mindsets. Everyone
of whatever ethnicity feels indignant to have their sense of decency and
fairplay mocked, and when ingrained into their psyche, it will stay there for a
long time and will be vented explosively
when opportunity comes. The rallies can also pressure the BN ruling coalition
to toe the line and not procrastinate anymore if they are really seeking to
reform for the better.
The rallies have made superstars of the Pakatan line up. Nurul,
Che GU Bard, Tian Chua, Mat Sabu, Tony Pua to name a few, apart from already idolized
top guns. And not only exclusively from PR but the personalities from NGOs as
well. The rakyat can easily relate to
these personalities, these perceived champions and identify with them as one of
their own. They have captured the imagination of the Rakyat as underdogs
championing their cause for justice and righteousneous although, it may be an
idealistic notion that may not have bearing to bread and butter issues
affecting livelihood
Nonetheless, it appeals psychologically to the
core essence of decent people with moral values. Touches on raw nerves and pent
up emotions that has been set aside in the people’s psyche for years under the
iron handed authoritarian rule of the BN. This is an accumulation of those many
years of pent up frustrations of the common layman on the street who have been exposed to, heard about or
victimized in one form or another , the excesses of the ruling party , commited
with impunity for half a decade ,in total disregard of the rakyat’s opinions , as if they didn’t matter. So what is witnessed now in
these rallies is the venting of the people’s exasperation and disapproval of
the abused practices inflicted on the country for so long.
It takes two hands to clap and make a sound. Pakatan is but
just one hand, the rakyat make up the other .If the people are not supportive
and in consensus with the cause, very few will attend the rallies. They will
stay away not because the authorities tell them to do so or that it is illegal,
but simply because they cannot commit emotionally. But on the contrary, looking
at the numbers in attendance, in spite of warnings and veiled threats by the
powers, generally law respecting and abiding people attend the
gatherings, it shows just how disapproving of the government ( judging from
the ground sentiment of the rakyat ) the people are.
More importantly, it
also reveals the intensity of the emotions that is felt by the people. The “Tidak
Apa, Biar saja!” attitude has shifted to “ Ta boleh dah.! Sudah lah, cukup la
itu, Ta boleh lagi.”
And this represents the marjority voice of the Rakyat, including
even those who prefer not to attend and have voiced out their protest through
the ballot. They may want to move on in despair that they were denied the
opportunity to UBAH, but doesn’t mean that they have given up all hope.
A voice of Gen Y.
Especially among the idealistic young generation who have heard accounts about what it was like under BN
from the older generation besides interpret ting for themselves how much truth
those accounts carry in current times.
They make up their own minds based on testimonies and evidence
presented and come to a conclusion by their own accord influenced by their own
intellect.
They may not have
felt the brunt of the excesses in comparison to their parent’s generation, but
doesn’t mean that they do not feel offended or concerned when their sense of
values in what is acceptable and decent in our society and culture is aroused. More so when perpetrated by those entrusted to
lead us and make the correct decisions on our behalf with our best interests at
heart.
BN losing the war of
perception and popularity
Ask any average man on the street to name any BN ministers
or legislators with as much charisma and popularity as that of those in PR and
chances are there will be very few names to match that of the house hold names
of those in PR.
It is a war of perception ,and on the media front especially
the social media , BN is suffering huge casualties in the popularity battle for
hearts and minds .
Race card again, does
it help?!
And harping on the race card to rally the Malays doesn’t
seem to help much either, if anything , BN runs the risk of offending their own
coalition members and chasing them away to the other side out of sheer
exasperation and despair. Not to mention that it has already successfully created
the image on the mindsets of those on the other camp on , how despicable and
low those responsible will stoop , to preserve their power and control and how
desperate they are in fear of losing that power.
The race bashing may
appeal to ultra racist elements within UMNO but just how significant are their
numbers? Amongst the 3 million or so UMNO members, many are ordinary people
with ordinary lifes that has been integrating with the other communities and to
an extent are interdependent on each other to advance and progress.They have
been doing so for years and to tell them now they have been dancing with the
enemy may offend their sensibilities when they know for a fact it is not so.
And neither do they feel threatened by the other communities. Continue to dispense with this spiteful racial
rhetoric of Us vs Them ,so blatantly
designed to incite and manipulate , turns decent rational people who can reason
,off.
UMNO has with credit raised up the economic standing and intellectual abilities and capacity of the Malay marjority, yet ,with informed
intellect, comes a clearer perception of world views guided by common sense and
rational thought. Education does away with
ignorance. It removes the proverbial coconut shell. Educated or informed people
cannot be lead by the nose anymore. They can decipher very well or understand,
emotionally if not intellectually, what is mental colonialism and oppression,
simply because they are now intelligent
and mature enough.
Get off your high
horse!
The elite of UMNO and BN need to step out of their gilded horse
drawn carriages or their limousine motorcades and mingle with the Rakyat to
regain a sense of the pulse of the people. They are so clearly out of touch
with what is going on, on the ground, what the Rakyat has evolved into after 56 years post independence and how they really
think and feel about the state of affairs in the nation.
From the makcik nasi lemak to the
pakcik warong, Muthu’s dobi to Ah Seng’s workshop to the SMIs, Towkays and Dato’s
of Sdn Bhds. What and how do they feel about the past 50 years under BN.? Why so
many of them voted as they did during the PRU13??
In a nutshell , BN is as unpopular as a rotten
egg in a crowded room. The stink from 50 years of abuses cannot be washed off
overnight. But if they can discard the smelly parts then there may be hope yet.
Please don’t rock the boat and just allow us to be Malaysians
In the urban areas, where the economic
power houses and life sustaining organs of the nation that generates the wealth
exist, the message has been sent loud and clear, No More! Enough already! Let’s get on with living as Malaysians and
collectively transform it into a nation to be envied for prosperity and
cooperation of her patriotic people, who have a very strong sense of nationhood
and love for their homeland. Using our very diversity as a formidable strength to
challenge the world and emerge celebrated. We can have our cake and eat it too,
distributed fairly to all to ensure all will have a piece.
Whether that task can be done by
PR or BN is a moot issue. More pressing
are the ideals of the marjority seeking
a better quality of citizenship and way of life in our homeland.
