AN outsider looking at the political disquiet on the heels of the Barisan Nasional's loss of its two-thirds majority will wonder what the fuss is all about. After all, isn't BN still in power?
Sure, it lost its two-thirds majority. Sure, it lost five states to the opposition. But it still controls the federal government and eight state governments.
Sure, BN received a beating. Sure, its loss has wide ramifications. But it retains a very comfortable cushion in parliament, being short of two-thirds by just eight seats, and nearly all of the power it had held for the past 50 years. In many countries, governments rule with much less.
Sure, there is frustration and anger in the ranks, among Umno and other BN component party members. A few Umno members have even been unthinking enough to call for the resignation of party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. But isn't this the time for consolidation and rebuilding, rather than recrimination and the political opportunism it may imply?
If BN had lost the general election, then, yes, it would be incumbent upon the leader to resign. But BN won. It continues to form the government. There is, therefore, a need to see through the film of anger, frustration and disenchantment that is clouding the eye. In the wake of the good performance by the opposition, there is uneasiness among BN members, especially those in Umno.
This is understandable. After all, the BN -- with Umno as its backbone -- has been a political juggernaut since its inception. Losing even a little power can be jarring. Umno members have to decide if it is better to channel these emotions towards strengthening the party and the coalition to regain that power, or continue pointing fingers.
There is a new political reality in the country and the sooner everyone accepts it and moves on, the better. Losers should not vent their frustrations to the extent of causing disharmony, and winners should not gloat. As the dust settles, it is incumbent upon leaders and members of all political parties to be cognisant of the need for vigilance in their words and actions.
Topping their agenda must be the commitment to nurture peace in the country. Leaders of political parties -- both BN and opposition -- must be aware that the people expect them to work in concord for the nation's good. It is time for healing and the business of developing the nation to continue apace.
Sure, there is frustration and anger in the ranks, among Umno and other BN component party members. A few Umno members have even been unthinking enough to call for the resignation of party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. But isn't this the time for consolidation and rebuilding, rather than recrimination and the political opportunism it may imply?
If BN had lost the general election, then, yes, it would be incumbent upon the leader to resign. But BN won. It continues to form the government. There is, therefore, a need to see through the film of anger, frustration and disenchantment that is clouding the eye. In the wake of the good performance by the opposition, there is uneasiness among BN members, especially those in Umno.
This is understandable. After all, the BN -- with Umno as its backbone -- has been a political juggernaut since its inception. Losing even a little power can be jarring. Umno members have to decide if it is better to channel these emotions towards strengthening the party and the coalition to regain that power, or continue pointing fingers.
There is a new political reality in the country and the sooner everyone accepts it and moves on, the better. Losers should not vent their frustrations to the extent of causing disharmony, and winners should not gloat. As the dust settles, it is incumbent upon leaders and members of all political parties to be cognisant of the need for vigilance in their words and actions.
Topping their agenda must be the commitment to nurture peace in the country. Leaders of political parties -- both BN and opposition -- must be aware that the people expect them to work in concord for the nation's good. It is time for healing and the business of developing the nation to continue apace.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Columns/2188077/Article/index_html
Semua Kandungan dan Semua komen para pembaca pada blog ini bukan pandangan dan pendirian saya dan Saya tidak bertanggungjawab untuknya.
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